I have not done this for a while, noticing language changing while we were looking aside and not paying attention. JMSmith over at the Orthosphere quotes Bill Nye in 1900, writing about a topic and therefore not focusing on whether the language was coming into style or going out. “When we are in the heyday and fizz of existence, we believe everything; but after awhile we murmur: ‘What’s that you are givin’ us,’ or words of like character. Age brings caution and a lot of shop-worn experience, purchased at the highest market price.” It's fun, ain't it? Heyday, fizz of existence, like character, shop-worn, and even highest market price in this context. All are fully understandable to us, and to our grandchildren (maybe. I'll have to check), yet none of us would choose those phrases now for this sentiment. I was born around 1950 and have been deeply immersed in older writing, yet even I would choose other words.
The moving finger writes, and having writ, moves on.
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