The 19th century had some vividly colorful language that has regrettably faded into history. Here are 19 words and phrases we think should make a come back!
1. Absquatulate
"The treasurer of the improvement society absquatulated with proceeds of the fund drive and hasn't been seen in town since."
2. Codfish Aristocracy
"They're nothing but codfish aristocracy, driving around in their high-falutin carriage."
3. Exfluncticate
"The power she held over him was such that she could exfluncticate his courage with one sideways glance."
4. Fix Your Flint
"No, children, you're both in the wrong and are going to apologize to each other this minute, or I'll fix your flint."
5. Huckleberry Above a Persimmon
"That fine horse of Edward's is a huckleberry above most other persimmons."
This is a really interesting phrase that seems to have had lots of variation in meaning and use!
6. Little End of The Horn
"Jack ended up with the little end of the horn when it came to the family inheritance, so he took to sea to make his own way."
7. To Get The Mitten
"Percy sure was hoping to make a big announcement today, but it looks like Flora gave him the mitten instead."
8. Not By a Jugful
"I am not going to sit through another long meeting, not by jugful."
9. Old Orchard
"I'd much rather be pouring a fine round of old orchard."
10. Philadelphia Lawyer
"That boy's as smart as a Philadelphia lawyer."
11. Poor as Job's Turkey
"He can't afford glass windows in that house. He's poor as Job's turkey."
12. Pull Foot
"As soon as he saw the brawl starting, he pulled foot for home."
13. Row Up Salt River
"You'll make it right, or I'll row you up salt river."
14. Savagerous
"We lost a few chickens while we were at church, and from the state of the yard, that attack was so savagerous, I'm thinkin' it had to be a fox."
15. Seven By Nine
"To hear her tell it, every one of her little seven by nine posies is something special. She hasn't seen my roses I put in last year."
This saying comes from the usual, common dimensions of 7x9 window panes.
16. Slantindicular
"He looked at her slantindicular, like he knew she was stretching the truth."
17. Some Pumpkins
"I don't don't see it myself, but he really thinks that girl is some pumpkins."
18. Sockdologer
"He was so mad, he rushed in and planted a sockdologer right on that fella's nose."
19. Wake Snakes
"Those little angels might look sweet as molasses right now, but they'll be wakin' snakes in the dooryard before you know it, mark my word."
These 1800's Lemon Snaps are Some Pumpkins
These flavorful little lemon cookies are just delightful. Try this easy-to-make authentic recipe from the 1800's, and wow your friends with a delicious taste of the nineteenth century.
Anna Chesley
Anna Chesley is a freelance writer living a homestead lifestyle, with a special love for family travel, old books, vintage skills, and seaside living. In addition to founding Salt In My Coffee, she runs the website, New England Family Life, as well as The 1800's Housewife, a website devoted to re-creating authentic 1800's recipes.
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