Shall we take a charabanc to the aerodrome?

Not according to new editions of the Collins Pocket Dictionary.

A dozen words have been declared as obsolete, and as such are being removed from future editions of the Collins Pocket Dictionary. This is partly to make room for new words entering the English language, we can reveal in this blog.

These dozen words will not disappear forever – you will still be able to find them preserved in larger editions of the dictionary – included for “historical interest”.

Of course, who says Collins has the authority to decide what words are in and what are out? That debate is far outside the scope of this blog, otherwise we could be here until I become a subject for alienism.

It does seem heartrending, though, that a wonderful word like charabanc may no longer be officially be regarded as part of everyday English. It seems so comforting, like jam roly-poly and custard.

And Aerodrome – seems such an apt phrase for airfields too small to be fully regarded as airports. If I owned a small aircraft facility, I would far rather it be an aerodrome than airfield or airstrip.

So, those twelve newly obsolete words in full:

Charabanc – an aircraft landing area typically smaller than an airport.

Alienism – the study and treatment of mental illness.

Charabanc – a motor coach for days out or sightseeing.

Cyclogiro – a particular aircraft that never really took off.

Drysalter – a dealer in certain chemical substances such as dyes and gums.

Fun fur – items such as coats made from easily available furs such as rabbit.

Stauroscope – device for studying crystals under polarized light.

Succedaneum – something that can be used in place of another, such as a medical drug.

Supererogate – to do more than is required.

Wittol – A man who puts up with his wife’s unfaithfulness.

Woolfell – The skin of an animal such as a sheep with the fleece still attached.

Of the above, Microsoft Word 10 recognizes: alienism, fun fur, succedaneum, wittol and woolfell.