Just like many things (buildings, technology, food, clothing styles, transportation, etc), words and phrases change over the years.
One area to have changed a good deal are the use of certain words and what they meant.
Since the United States was a British colony for decades, many of their words and phrases were also used in America. There are a few phrases and words not needed ever again. For example: the term gardyloo was yelled out as a warning before chamber pots were poured out of windows onto the streets below.
Other interesting terms and phrases which could still be used or were used by your ancestors.
Uhtceare – This means someone lying awake worrying any subject before dawn breaks.
Trumpery – Means when things might be a good deal but instead are worthless.
Groke – Refers to staring at someone eating, hoping they will give you a bite.
Elflock – This is the term for tangled, matted hair.
Billingsgate – The use of cursive words, bad language.
Jargogle – The act of being confusing or jumble what was said.
Quagswag – When you swing or shake something back and forth.
Bedward – Means going into your bed for the night.
Gutted – Refers to being very sad and upset.
All to Pot – An event or situation failed completed of which you had not control over.
Fortnight – A common word which referred to a two weeks time period.
So just a few terms and words, if you do run across any from ancestors’ journals, research the word.
Photos: Staring at someone eating; tangled hair; a dog swing or shaking his head and vintage pajamas of the 1940s worn to bed.
Related FamilyTree.com Blogs:
Colonial and 19th Century Terms
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