FORGOTTEN, BUT NOT GONE -- Some words outlive their usefulness and disappear. Other words and phrases live on, even though their early meanings are forgotten; they become idoms. Examples of "lost words" would include "flashcube" (and a personal favorite, its German equivalent, "blitzblock.") And does anyone still use "bumbershoot," or "parasol"? Oddly, the language uses "umbrella" for a device to protect from rain, even though its root is the Latin for "shade." Meanwhile, let's bring back "running board" and "wing window" for our cars.
JOBLESS LUDDITES -- Technology is great, but once bowling alleys got automatic pinsetters, the machines put a lot of teenagers out of work, and the term "pin boy" disappeared. And Mr. Lud lost an opportunity.
ROLLOUT -- In early election campaigns, villagers would construct a massive ball and plaster it with signs endorsing their favorite candidate, then gather together to push the thing to the next village, in the hope that they, in turn, would "keep the ball rolling."
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