In an age dominated by corporate jargon and political spin, a treasure trove of forgotten English words offers startlingly accurate descriptions of our modern world. From global leaders to local holiday frustrations, these archaic terms have found new life in the 21st century.
Political Figures Through a Historical Lens
Journalist John Hanscombe, in his piece for The Echidna on January 14 2026, demonstrated how perfectly antiquated vocabulary fits contemporary politics. He posed the question: is a certain former US president a fopdoodle (a foolish, vain person), a cockalorum (a self-important boaster), or perhaps a snollygoster (a clever, unprincipled politician)?
His gobemouches – gullible followers who believe everything – lap up his uglyography (bad spelling and writing), taking every piece of misinformation as gospel, leaving the rest of the world bumfuzzled (completely perplexed).
Australian Leaders Get the Archaic Treatment
The linguistic exercise doesn't stop at international borders. Hanscombe applies the same historical wit to Australian figures. For his noted stubbornness, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could be deemed a mumpsimus – someone who obstinately adheres to old ways despite clear error.
His predecessor, Peter Dutton, might have been derided for his fly rink – a slang term for a bald head. Barnaby Joyce's infamous planter box incident could earn him the title of a pottle deep foozler (one who is foolishly drunk).
Meanwhile, Angus Taylor might be called knotty-pated (blockheaded) for his occasional difficulties in Question Time, and Sussan Ley could be labelled a fustilugs (a gross, fat woman) following a heated parliamentary exchange with Penny Wong.
Old Words for Modern Life's Annoyances
This revival of forgotten language extends beyond the political sphere into everyday Australian life. The recent holiday season, for instance, was ripe for description with old vernacular.
Many of us scurryfunged – cleaned up frantically – before visitors arrived. We felt crapulous after over-indulging, sometimes wamblecropt with indigestion. Post-New Year's Eve, we grew irritated by nanty narking neighbours – those having annoyingly loud fun into the early hours. As the return to work loomed, we were hit by the morbs – a feeling of melancholy.
This linguistic journey prompts a forward-looking question: how will our current buzzwords be viewed in two centuries? Future generations may chuckle at our overuse of "reaching out," "circling back," "deep dive," and "bandwidth." They may wonder why every experience was a "journey" and every topic existed "in this space," or how, with all the "low-hanging fruit," chronic health issues persisted.
HAVE YOUR SAY: The piece invites reader engagement, asking which old words they'd like revived and which modern terms should be banished. Responses can be sent to echidna@theechidna.com.au.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT – Related National Updates:
- Kevin Rudd announced his early departure from the role of Australia's ambassador to the United States, calling it "an honour" to serve.
- A teenager from regional Australia faces charges over hoax emergency calls to US institutions following an FBI tip-off.
- The director of Adelaide Writers' Week resigned after the board barred a Palestinian-Australian academic, triggering a mass author boycott.
READER RESPONSES – Bushfire Memories Rekindled:
The column also featured responses from readers on recent Victorian bushfires. Murray, a survivor of Black Saturday in 2009, spoke of lingering anxiety triggered by the smell of smoke. Phil advocated for government incentives for fire-resistant home features like shutters and sprinkler systems. Sue recalled a bushfire from 1950, noting that while natural disasters are a perennial feature of Australian life, the last six to seven years have been particularly severe. Another Phil from Parkside expressed concern over fuel loads in Adelaide Hills suburbs.
