Words not Commonly Used Today

Ever heard an unfamiliar word from someone older than you and scratch your head, wondering what it means? Many were once commonplace but fell out of use. Language naturally evolves and develops new vocabulary, and using an older word that not everyone is familiar with can throw off a conversation. Here are ten words that used to be part of our lexicon but aren’t so common anymore!

Brinks
When we say brinks, we don’t mean the security firm. We are referring to what we called a man who is used for his money, typically by a woman who is younger than him. This term was so popular in the 90’s that dancehall’s General Degree had a hit song of the same name.

Broughtupsy
Some would argue that having good manners nowadays is like finding a $5,000 bill – rare. Well back in the day you didn’t just have bad manners you had no broughtupsy!

Guzum
This word sounds like something a child made up to describe magic, which isn’t far off – we used to use it to refer to obeah or putting someone under a spell.

Kurroaches or carouches
Trust us, it has nothing to do with roaches. This means stuff or junk, as in, “Your room is such a mess! Why yuh kyaa pack up yuh kurroaches?”  

Labrish
It’s something mostly young girls did, and still do, labrish is just short of gossip.

Samfi
Long before scammers were a hot topic here and abroad a trickster or conman would be called a samfi. This person could literally pick your pockets while standing in front of you and having a conversation and you wouldn’t be the wiser.

Spoogie
There was Boo – rather ghost-like, wouldn’t you say? – and now there’s Bae – Before Anyone Else – which is just strange. But before either of these, there was Spoogie, one time Jamaican lingo for that special someone.

Langilaala
We didn’t have many of those until Patrick Ewing. But it’s the word we once used to describe someone who is very tall.

Tuntid
Back in the day when you felt dizzy or faint, like the world is spinning around you and you can’t keep your feet beneath you, someone might’ve said you were being tuntid!

Zutopeck
Far worse than being called ugly. It feels foreign – we’re not even sure how someone came up with this word. You will agree it's cringe-worthy?