As a lot of this blog is about writing, I wanted to write a regular article on my favourite forgotten words. You know the type of thing, those poor lost words that sit at the back of our minds, gathering dust, having been discovered years ago in literary classics like Dickens, or Austen. They are the spices of the literary world, but I refuse to let them sit in a cupboard and be ignored until they go out of date! Let’s bring them back!
This month’s word is: BLATHERSKITE
Blatherskite
noun
Foolish talk; nonsense.
A blatherskite is a person who talks nonsense or speaks foolishly and without meaning. It’s the type of word I imagine pirates using for some reason, not quite sure why but I feel it should be followed by an ‘arrgh, m’hearties.’ Or it’s the type of word 18th century politicians might use when shouting at each other in parliament. Either way, it’s one I think we’re going to struggle to get into everyday conversation without people looking at you like you’ve gone slightly mad. If you do manage it, I’d love to know how!