Lexicographers Create Lists of Endangered Words

Posted on August 23, 2011

The Guardian reports that lexicographers at Collins Dictinary have compiled a list of words that are in danger of completely falling out of use. Seldom used words are removed periodically from Collins smaller dictionaries. Here are a few of the words.

Wittol - a man who tolerates his wife's infidelity

Charabanc - a motor coach

Supererogate - to do or perform more than is required

Alienism - the study of and treatment of mental illness

Succedaneum - something used as a substitute

Collins Dictionary does not remove the endangered words from its largest dictionary because they may be useful to historians or they could come back into fashion.