What odd or old-fashioned words..

[a paper star]

My grandma sometimes says Queer as in weird not calling someone Gay.
I've also heard of:
The Five and Dime
Icebox
Lessons
Gams which means legs but I think everyone says legs now.
Do words like Golly and Swell count? If so I still hear those!

 

[Disney Ella]

My grandmother used to talk about a gang of kids, but she just meant a group of kids who hung out together - no graffiti or knives involved!

She also used davenport and a really great person was a "peach."

"Going with" someone rather than dating. We still used that expression when I was in high school.

People were "laid out" at the funeral home.

 

[KristaTX]

"Pupils" for students.

I cannot hear the word "pupil" in regards to students without thinking of Jimmy Stewart in Vertigo exclaiming,
You were a very apt pupil too, weren't you? You were a very apt pupil! Well why did you pick on me? Why me?.

 

[Shih-Tzu]

My grandmother used to talk about a gang of kids, but she just meant a group of kids who hung out together - no graffiti or knives involved!

She also used davenport and a really great person was a "peach."

"Going with" someone rather than dating. We still used that expression when I was in high school.

People were "laid out" at the funeral home.

I have heard older people who have referred the funeral home as "the wake house"

My mother still has a "davenport" which is near her "hi-fi"...but thankfully we all now wear jeans instead of "dungarees" (she's caught on to that one)...

And there's some senior people around my area that any type of vacuum cleaner, no matter what brand is an "Electrolux"...as "Oh, you have a Kenmore Electrolux" and "I housecleaned and Electroluxed the floors..."

Ohhhhhh, reading this is starting to make ME feel old...(yup, I guess I'm getting there....)

 

[Patricia]

We do say pocketbooks her in my area as well as pupils. Guess those are a bit regional. Same with stoops... I grew up in Queens NY and sat many a night on my stoop...

 

[SeeDisney]

I'm in my early 40's and I still say "blackboards"...or chalkboards....my kids don't know what I'm talking about.

 

[IWasBornToLoveDisney]

well it's not an old word but my grandma and grandpa both say warsh instead of wash so my grandpa cleans the warshing machines and my grandma says i go to warshington high

 

[SeeDisney]

Another one....walkman and boombox.

 

[C.Ann]

"lessons" for homework.

"dungarees" instead of "jeans."

ottomon (footstool)
sasperilla (root beer)
fortnight (15 days)
stupendous
gay in the "happy" sense of the word
whippersnappers (young people)
omnibus (bus)

"divan" when speaking of the couch.

back to add:

spectacles (glasses)
clam diggers (capri pants)
I reckon (I think)
hankering (craving)
shennanigans (silly happenings, usually naughty but not really bad)

One that I always thought was silly that my grandma used to say was:

Oleo instead of Butter

My grandma used to go to the "beauty parlor" to have her hair done by the "beauty operator".

She always used to say "smitten" too when someone had a crush on someone else.

"Pupils" for students.

stewardess oleo for margarine
motorcar for car
watercloset for bathroom
drawers for underwear


And C.Ann, I hate to say it, but linoleum is pretty much an antiquated word now. Floors are made of vinyl now...

Hmpf! My "linoleum" (here in my place in the mountains - built in 1952) would be highly offended by that remark!!


records instead of CDs (even CDs are getting old fashioned now)
hip or cool instead of... I don't even know what kids are saying instead now!!

My DH still says billfold for wallet!

really great person was a "peach."

"Going with" someone rather than dating.

People were "laid out" at the funeral home.

Oh gosh - these are great - and I remember them all!!

Keep them coming..

 

[denisenh]

i have really enjoyed reading this!

I am not sure if these qualify but

bed clothes (linens/blankets)
tonic (carbonated beverages)
rubbers (galoshes)

 

[mtemm]

filling station instead of gas station

 

[powellrj]

My DH was around his grandparents growing up so he still uses many of these

brassiere for bra
commode for toilet
chew gum for gum
short pants for shorts
chiffonier for dresser

 

[phamton]

My grandmother used to say yonder as in "the dirty clothes hamper is over yonder."

 

[kirbydog48]

Here's some from my mom...

nylons.....stockings

nifty...stylish dresser (She looked nifty in that dress)

divan....couch

 

[Orangeandwild]

Kiddos (children or kids)

Stepin Out (going out somewhere special)

Golly Gee (meaning wow I am surprised)

Dasn't (dare not)

Go to the market (grocery shopping)

If I knew you were coming I would have baked a cake (surprised by your visit)

 

[clarabelle]

chiffarobe for wardrobe
Britches for pants

Have you ever read "To Kill a Mockingbird"? My grandparents talked like they do in that book. Sigh
I miss them

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

My grandmother always said "piddle" .... "Do you have to piddle?" meaning "Do you have to pee?".

 

[paintnolish]

"You look like a ragamuffin," as in you looked sloppy or unkempt.

 

[PebblesMK]

I use tons of those words and phrases and am only in my 20's. I do believe my grandma has rubbed off on me. The one I find hilarious is "airbuggy" for a convertible. My daughter and I say it all the time and those around us have now started using the term.

 

[Pixiedust34]

My great-grandmother used to say "Oh, sugar!" when upset.

"Icebox" and "pocketbook" were used, too. My mother uses the term "school teacher" instead of just "teacher" all of the time.

You know what's funny---we still say "dial a number" (on the phone), but we haven't actually had to "dial" a number in many years.