Some people think that the English language is a fixed, unchanging set of words that have been around for centuries. They get discouraged when they come across words like impecunious and mentally assign them to the category of “words no one ever uses any more” along with forsooth and verily and prithee. This is a mistake, because there are thousands of words that are beautiful, expressive, and useful that can be a part of any modern English speaker’s vocabulary. Expanding your vocabulary with words from the past will give you an appreciation for the development of the English language in the present. There are always new words being added to the language, as discoveries are made and as people change and invent new ways of expressing their thoughts and emotions.

Older words often become new again through the global lens of popular culture. With the internet and all of the other ways we’re connected almost instantly to people around the world, anything that’s in the spotlight has an immediate impact – along with the words used to describe it. You may or may not have watched the recent royal wedding of Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton, but unless you were completely off the grid, you probably couldn’t avoid hearing something about the festivities and the couple’s first international goodwill tour. A lot of press was devoted to the new Duchess of Cambridge’s clothes, including this quote:

“She understands the sartorial demands of her role and how to project her personal taste and even her personality to a world the palace is not yet letting her publicly, verbally address.” – Amy Odell, New York Magazine (July 2011)

When this article was published, the internet dictionary site (and general word resource) at Merriam-Webster Online saw an immediate increase in the number of times people searched for the definition of sartorial. This word can be traced back to the time of another royal wedding, that of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, when it came into the English language from the Latin root word sartor, meaning “tailor.” The definition of the adjective sartorial is “related to clothing.”

By learning as many words as you can, both old and new, you’ll be able to tailor your vocabulary and take command of any conversation you’re in!