WORDS: It’s no secret that we like words, so when we found a list called “Victorian words that deserve a comeback,” we had to share.

Some are still in use, perhaps rarely. For example, winsome: charming in a sweet and gentle way; amiable: warm, kind and pleasant; stalwart: loyal, dependable, strong in character; benevolent: good-hearted and generous; genteel: refined, polite and well mannered.

It is a deep compliment to be considered pulchritudinous: breathtakingly beautiful. It is a sign of a lovely day if the sun is considered effulgent: glowing with radiant beauty.

Sagacious: wise and insightful; Dapper: Neat, stylish and well-dressed; Comely: pleasing and attractive; Splendent: shining or splendid in appearance; Erudite: deeply knowledgeable and learned; Fetching: charmingly attractive; Noble-hearted: honorable and upright

Dulcet: sweet-sounding or pleasing to the ear; Prepossessing: creating a good first impression; Winsomely spoken: speaking with gentle charm. 

Gosh, these words make us long for days when folks were kind enough to speak like that.

We found a list of words that came from historical events, like one of the more well-known ones, the word sandwich. That “food stack” was named after the Earl of Sandwich who wanted something easy to eat while playing cards.

We didn’t know the word boycott came from Capt. Charles Boycott, an English land agent whose community ostracised him.

The term shrapnel is from Gen. Henry Shrapnel, the inventor of the shrapnel shell.

The word maverick, meaning independent person, comes from Samuel Maverick, who refused to brand cattle.

The term silhouette comes from a name as well, that of Etienne de Silhouette, known for cheap portraits.

Diesel engines are named after the inventor, Rudolf Diesel. Neat stuff.