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Best word to describe “historically used formally but no longer acceptable”?

English Language & Usage Asked by RosaryLightning X on May 16, 2021

What is a good word to use to describe a word that was used in history but now is becoming obsolete in literature because of its racial, cultural, or ethical bias implications?

For example, what is a good word to use to describe:

  • Virginity (associated with the commodification of people especially women in that those who have not had sex are seen as more pure and desirable)
  • Homosexual (appears neutral but is associated with derogatory projections of gay people. It is becoming replaced by the terms gay/same-sex orientation etc.)
  • Nigger (while used still as a casual slang term amongst friends, the word is no longer acceptable in any form of public writing except when it is brought up to be discussed for its historical context).

Thanks!

EDIT: I want to edit this so that it’s clearer that maybe “obsolete” is not the best word here, as simply “being driven out of usage by its traditional context in formal literature” may describe what I’m looking for better. The term may still be used in slang or whatnot, but would not be considered prudent or even be considered offensive in formal conversation or literature.

2 Answers

I would term this "lexical arhaism" or just "archaism".

According to Cambridge Dictionary: "A word or expression that is not generally used any more".

Answered by user307254 on May 16, 2021

When you hear some of these terms used you usually hear it from older people who at the time of their childhood, the terms mentioned above might have been socially acceptable in general use. So I have used the term geriatricly inappropriate to describe some of the words used by my grandfather, Lord rest his soul

But to address your second point about it being driven out of use you could reverse the term Youthfully appropriate

Answered by Kevin B Leigh on May 16, 2021

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