The Story of Forgotten Words: Reviving Lost Treasures of Language

I am not a professional writer, nor was language ever my area of study. However, like most students in India, I studied Hindi, English, and Sanskrit as part of the school curriculum. To be frank, I never liked Sanskrit, nor did I manage to learn it well—primarily because of how it was taught to us in those days. On the other hand, I always had a fondness for Hindi and English, especially their literature. Grammar never interested me much, but the beauty of language and stories captured my imagination. I still vividly remember my Hindi and English teachers. They were incredibly enthusiastic about their teaching and nurtured my love for language and literature. Thanks to their influence, I became a voracious reader from my school days onward. During my time at BITS Pilani, the library became my second home—a sanctuary where I could dive into countless worlds through books. Those years cemented my lifelong appreciation for the written word. Later, I developed an interest in Urdu as well for its sophisticated vocabulary and poetic elegance. However, I never learned to read or write in Urdu.

Languages are living, evolving entities. They grow, adapt, and, unfortunately, shed parts of their vocabulary as time passes. Sometimes, new languages develop from existing ones by adopting words and syntax, while many languages eventually die out. History is witness that many times countries' borders are drawn and redrawn based on languages. Rightly or wrongly, sometimes people associate a particular language with a specific religion. However, across all languages, regardless of country, religion, or community, people forget certain words. Forgotten words are delightful treasures that once enriched our languages but have since faded into obscurity. These words are more than relics. They are windows into the emotions, ideas, and lives of the people who once used them. Forgotten words are those that slip out of everyday use, often replaced by simpler or more modern terms. They are the “time capsules” of language, capturing the essence of a bygone era. In this piece I will attempt to explore the reasons why some words lost their usage despite being so charming and will also try to dig deeper what can we do to revive some of them. By reviving them, we honor the beauty of our linguistic heritage and rediscover meaningful ways to express ourselves. Dictionaries are full of such words. Just to make my point clear some of the forgotten and/or rarely used words in English, Hindi & Urdu are mentioned below.

• Groke: To silently watch someone eat, hoping to be invited to join. Can we find another word which may convey exact meaning?

• Mallison: A curse or a bad wish upon someone—an opposite of blessing.

• Crapulence: Overindulgence in food or drink, leading to sickness. Very difficult to find a word which can express this situation.

• Borborygmus: A rumbling or gurgling noise in the stomach.

• Cachinnate: Laugh loudly or immoderately

• Callipygian: Having well-shaped buttocks

• विरह (virah): A poetic term for the pain of separation, often used in literature and songs. Only used in literary works.

• ताड़ना (tādanā): To reprimand or discipline, a word not often heard in casual conversations anymore. 

• अमिय (amiy): Nectar, often used metaphorically to describe something divine or sweet. Can अमृत be its equivalent?

• समर (samar): Battle or war; a term heavily used in ancient texts but rare in everyday language now

• प्रभात (prabhāt): Morning, a simple yet elegant word often replaced by modern equivalents.

• शफ़क़ (shafaq): The glow of twilight, a romantic and poetic word now seldom used. 

• जनफ़जा  (jan-afzā) : Something that revives the spirit or brings joy. 

• गुलकार (gulkaar): An ornamental or decorative artist, a term that speaks to the culture of Urdu poetry and art.

• उफुक  (ufuq): Horizon, a word that paints a vivid picture but is slowly disappearing

• सरगोशी (sargoshi): Whisper, a word full of mystery and softness that    deserves more use

• किवाड़ (kivad): door/दरवाजा, when we say किवाड़ image of an old wooden little heavy door with सांकल comes to mind.

  
  

The list may be exhaustive in all languages. These words are beautiful remnants of the past that can add depth and richness to our language. Most of these words are not used in common language by common people. It is true that the primary function of any language is to convey meaning and facilitate communication. So, what is wrong if this can be achieved with simple words? While simplicity has its merits, there are certain words that convey nuances and emotions better than others. These forgotten words, with their unique charm and historical significance, offer a richer and more expressive way to articulate our thoughts and feelings. By reviving and using them, we not only preserve our linguistic heritage but also enhance our ability to communicate more vividly and precisely.

For instance, in one of my poems, I use the word गंध. While one might substitute it with खुशबू, it is not an equivalent replacement. गंध is more versatile—it can describe any scent, pleasant or unpleasant—making it a far richer choice. But the word गंध is very rarely used in common conversation.

हवा के स्पर्श को

शून्य की आवाज को

माटी की गंध को

और शीत के ताप को महसूस करो |

Similarly, in another poem, I use the word पसरा. Its expressive charm is unmatched, and I struggle to find another word that conveys its meaning so vividly. Have you ever used this word in conversation?

आँगन में उतरती शाम की

बेजान धूप तो थी पर कहाँ थी

खिलखिलाती वो हँसी ;

पसरा था - अनकहा सा सन्नाटा |

To my understanding forgotten words may vanish due to various cultural and societal shifts.

 As technology and lifestyles evolve, some terms become obsolete. How often do we use “telegraph” or “inkpot” or “ कलम” in today’s world? The rapid pace of technological advancement has rendered many words and phrases irrelevant, as new inventions and innovations replace older ones. This shift not only changes our vocabulary but also reflects the changing nature of our daily lives and interactions. I many times use such words in my writings/poems and readers do appreciate them. They create a kind of nostalgia in the minds of readers.

People often favor shorter, simpler words, leaving behind more intricate expressions. In our fast-paced world, brevity is often preferred, leading to the abandonment of more complex and nuanced language. This simplification can result in a loss of richness and depth in our communication, as we opt for efficiency over eloquence. Nevertheless, use of forgotten intricate words does make writings and expressions much richer.

The dominance of English in global communication has led to the decline of many regional and cultural terms. As English becomes the lingua franca of international discourse, many unique and culturally significant words from other languages are overshadowed and forgotten. This phenomenon highlights the impact of globalization on linguistic diversity and the importance of preserving our linguistic heritage. Many novel words from other languages also gets added routinely in English dictionary and vice versa.

Words beloved by one generation can fade as language trends change with time. Each generation brings its own linguistic preferences and innovations, often leaving behind the vocabulary of previous eras. This generational shift in language usage can result in the disappearance of words that once held great significance and emotional resonance. Present generation is using emojis instead of written words.

Language is not static or frozen in time. It is live and dynamic. So, changes are inevitable, but charm, richness and nostalgia associated with those forgotten words cannot die. Forgotten words are not just ornamental; they serve a larger purpose. Each word carries a story, a tradition, or an emotion that reflects its era. Reviving them keeps our heritage alive. These words are like time capsules, preserving the essence of the past and allowing us to connect with our history in a meaningful way. These words bring freshness to our language, offering new ways to articulate complex thoughts. They provide a rich vocabulary that can enhance our writing and speech, making our expressions more vivid and nuanced. Using these words creates a sense of nostalgia and fosters a connection with the past. They remind us of the beauty and richness of our linguistic heritage and using them can evoke memories and emotions that are deeply rooted in our cultural identity. Some emotions are so nuanced that only forgotten words can capture them perfectly. These words can convey subtle shades of meaning that modern language often lacks, allowing us to express our feelings with greater precision and sensitivity. These words are treasures waiting to be rediscovered, and they have the power to enhance our communication and deepen our understanding of the world around us.

Rediscovering and using forgotten words can be a truly delightful journey. While I may not be a linguistic expert, we can still strive to bring these linguistic treasures back into our lives by embracing the following simple steps.

• By diving deep into classic literature, poetry, or even older dictionaries to find words we love. These texts are treasure troves of forgotten vocabulary that can enrich our language and provide a deeper understanding of historical contexts.

  
  

• By using forgotten words in our blogs, journals, or creative projects. Incorporating these words into our writing not only revives them but also adds a unique flair to our work, making it stand out.

  
  

• We can introduce these words in our conversations to bring them back to life. Using them in everyday speech can help reintroduce them to others and make them a part of common usage once again.

  
  

• We may share them on social media or with friends to spread awareness about their beauty. Creating posts, stories, or even dedicated pages to these words can help others appreciate and adopt them.

By actively engaging with forgotten words, we can help preserve the richness of our linguistic heritage and ensure that these beautiful expressions are not lost to time. Forgotten words are treasures waiting to be rediscovered. They remind us of the richness of our languages and the stories they tell. By bringing these words back into our lives, we not only enrich our vocabulary but also honor the cultures and traditions they come from. 

[MANOJ MITTAL, NOIDA, April 25,2025]

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