Language is like a treasure chest, filled with words that are sometimes lost over time but hold immense charm when rediscovered. One such word is "Overmorrow," which simply means the day after tomorrow. Although it’s no longer commonly used, it has the potential to bring a touch of poetry and elegance to our conversations. Let’s dive into the magic of "Overmorrow" and discover a few more fascinating forgotten words that can enrich our vocabulary.
Imagine this: you're planning a weekend trip with friends. It's Friday, and your friend asks, "When are we leaving?" Instead of saying, "We’re leaving on Sunday," you could say, "We’re leaving overmorrow." In essence, overmorrow refers to something that is two days ahead from the current day.In modern English, we usually say "the day after tomorrow" to express this. While overmorrow is no longer in use, its appeal lies in its brevity—just one word instead of four!Using overmorrow instead of a common phrase not only makes the conversation more interesting but also connects us to the rich history of the English language. If you're eagerly waiting for a festival like Diwali or Eid, saying, "Diwali is overmorrow!" brings a certain joy and mystery to the anticipation.
Just like overmorrow, there are several other words that once made English conversations colorful and concise. Let’s explore some more words that could make a comeback in our day-to-day speech.
1. Ereyesterday – The Day Before Yesterday
Similar to overmorrow, ereyesterday refers to the day before yesterday. Instead of saying, "I met her two days ago," you could say, "I met her ereyesterday." It’s short, sweet, and to the point!
In Hindi, we have the word "परसों" (parson) which can mean the day before yesterday or the day after tomorrow, showing how languages have their own ways of simplifying time concepts.
Similar to overmorrow, ereyesterday refers to the day before yesterday. Instead of saying, "I met her two days ago," you could say, "I met her ereyesterday." It’s short, sweet, and to the point!
In Hindi, we have the word "परसों" (parson) which can mean the day before yesterday or the day after tomorrow, showing how languages have their own ways of simplifying time concepts.
2. Yestreen – Yesterday Evening
This word hails from Scottish English and was commonly used to refer to yesterday evening. Instead of saying, "I saw a beautiful sunset yesterday evening," you could say, "I saw a beautiful sunset yestreen." It adds a poetic touch to a simple statement, don’t you think?
This word hails from Scottish English and was commonly used to refer to yesterday evening. Instead of saying, "I saw a beautiful sunset yesterday evening," you could say, "I saw a beautiful sunset yestreen." It adds a poetic touch to a simple statement, don’t you think?
3. Noonshine – Light at Noon
While we are familiar with moonshine, noonshine was once used to describe the brightness of the sun at noon. Imagine saying, "The noonshine was so bright today, it felt like summer is already here." It gives a warm and cozy feeling to the day.
While we are familiar with moonshine, noonshine was once used to describe the brightness of the sun at noon. Imagine saying, "The noonshine was so bright today, it felt like summer is already here." It gives a warm and cozy feeling to the day.
4. Gloaming – Twilight or Dusk
Another delightful word is gloaming, which means the time of day when the sun is setting and night is falling. We often describe this time as dusk or twilight, but gloaming has a certain magical ring to it. For example, "I love walking during the gloaming, when the sky turns shades of pink and purple."
Another delightful word is gloaming, which means the time of day when the sun is setting and night is falling. We often describe this time as dusk or twilight, but gloaming has a certain magical ring to it. For example, "I love walking during the gloaming, when the sky turns shades of pink and purple."
5. Sweven – A Dream or Vision
Sweven, an old English word for a dream or vision seen while asleep, is another enchanting addition. If you wake up after a vivid dream, you could say, "I had a beautiful sweven last night about flying above the clouds." It captures the dreaminess of the experience.
As with overmorrow, these words faded out of use due to the natural evolution of language. Modern English became more direct, and simpler phrases replaced these charming, specific words. However, they still offer a glimpse into how our ancestors thought about time and experiences.
In many Indian and Asian languages, we still have compact, expressive words for these concepts. For instance, in Hindi, "सांझ" (saanjh) describes twilight, and in Bengali, "অলস দুপুর" (olos dupur) can describe a lazy afternoon. These words evoke feelings and moments in just a few syllables, similar to overmorrow or gloaming.
In today’s world, where everything moves fast, we often forget the beauty of language. Reviving old words like overmorrow, ereyesterday, and gloaming can make our conversations richer and more engaging. These words bring a touch of nostalgia and creativity that can spark curiosity and even a sense of wonder.Imagine sending a message to a friend saying, "Let’s meet overmorrow in the gloaming by the riverside." It not only sounds poetic but also adds a special atmosphere to the plan. Using such words can make ordinary moments feel extraordinary.
You can also incorporate these words into creative writing. Whether you’re a poet, blogger, or storyteller, weaving words like sweven and yestreen into your narratives can create a timeless, almost magical quality that draws readers in.
It’s not just English that has these kinds of words. Many languages around the world have their own versions of overmorrow and ereyesterday. In German, for example, "übermorgen" means the day after tomorrow, and in Tamil, the phrase "நாளைக்கு மாறுநாள்" (nāḷaikku māṟu nāḷ) conveys the same idea. Japanese uses "あさって" (asatte), and Malay uses "lusa". These compact words show that the human experience of time is universal, even if the words we use to describe it are different.
So, will these forgotten words ever make a true comeback? While they may not return to everyday English, they offer a unique way to stand out in conversation and writing. In a world that celebrates individuality, why not add a bit of whimsy to your language? Words like overmorrow and gloaming can help us express ourselves in ways that feel fresh and creative.
Next time you’re making plans for the day after tomorrow, consider saying "Let’s meet overmorrow!" It’s sure to spark a smile and might even start a trend of bringing back beautiful old words.
Words like overmorrow, ereyesterday, and sweven remind us that language is not just a tool for communication; it’s also a reflection of culture, time, and creativity. These words carry with them a sense of wonder, making our interactions more meaningful and engaging.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lover of fantasy, or just someone who wants to add a little flair to your everyday conversations, incorporating these forgotten words into your vocabulary is like rediscovering a hidden treasure. So, embrace the magic of language, and who knows what new words you’ll bring to life in the process—overmorrow, gloaming, or perhaps even yestreen?
Seema Choudhary
Sweven, an old English word for a dream or vision seen while asleep, is another enchanting addition. If you wake up after a vivid dream, you could say, "I had a beautiful sweven last night about flying above the clouds." It captures the dreaminess of the experience.
As with overmorrow, these words faded out of use due to the natural evolution of language. Modern English became more direct, and simpler phrases replaced these charming, specific words. However, they still offer a glimpse into how our ancestors thought about time and experiences.
In many Indian and Asian languages, we still have compact, expressive words for these concepts. For instance, in Hindi, "सांझ" (saanjh) describes twilight, and in Bengali, "অলস দুপুর" (olos dupur) can describe a lazy afternoon. These words evoke feelings and moments in just a few syllables, similar to overmorrow or gloaming.
Imagine sending a message to a friend saying, "Let’s meet overmorrow in the gloaming by the riverside." It not only sounds poetic but also adds a special atmosphere to the plan. Using such words can make ordinary moments feel extraordinary.
You can also incorporate these words into creative writing. Whether you’re a poet, blogger, or storyteller, weaving words like sweven and yestreen into your narratives can create a timeless, almost magical quality that draws readers in.
It’s not just English that has these kinds of words. Many languages around the world have their own versions of overmorrow and ereyesterday. In German, for example, "übermorgen" means the day after tomorrow, and in Tamil, the phrase "நாளைக்கு மாறுநாள்" (nāḷaikku māṟu nāḷ) conveys the same idea. Japanese uses "あさって" (asatte), and Malay uses "lusa". These compact words show that the human experience of time is universal, even if the words we use to describe it are different.
So, will these forgotten words ever make a true comeback? While they may not return to everyday English, they offer a unique way to stand out in conversation and writing. In a world that celebrates individuality, why not add a bit of whimsy to your language? Words like overmorrow and gloaming can help us express ourselves in ways that feel fresh and creative.
Next time you’re making plans for the day after tomorrow, consider saying "Let’s meet overmorrow!" It’s sure to spark a smile and might even start a trend of bringing back beautiful old words.
Words like overmorrow, ereyesterday, and sweven remind us that language is not just a tool for communication; it’s also a reflection of culture, time, and creativity. These words carry with them a sense of wonder, making our interactions more meaningful and engaging.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lover of fantasy, or just someone who wants to add a little flair to your everyday conversations, incorporating these forgotten words into your vocabulary is like rediscovering a hidden treasure. So, embrace the magic of language, and who knows what new words you’ll bring to life in the process—overmorrow, gloaming, or perhaps even yestreen?
Seema Choudhary
No comments:
Post a Comment