Olympic champion and broadcaster Tom Daley has expressed a newfound inspiration to expand his vocabulary following a viral on-screen moment with fellow television personality Kate Garraway on the hit show Celebrity Traitors. The incident, which saw Daley react with an eye roll to Garraway's use of the word 'flabbergasted', has sparked a broader conversation about the revival of classic British expressions.
Survey Reveals Nostalgia for Lost Lingo
A recent survey commissioned by Tesco Mobile, involving 2,000 adults across the UK, has uncovered a significant surge of nostalgia for age-old words that have fallen out of regular use. The study found that terms such as bamboozled, codswallop, and kerfuffle are now seldom or never spoken in everyday conversation, despite their whimsical and expressive nature.
Interestingly, only 6% of respondents admitted to regularly using the word 'balderdash', which means nonsense. However, a striking 81% of those surveyed believe there are splendid words from the past that deserve to be brought back into modern discourse. This sentiment highlights a growing appetite for linguistic richness and colour in communication.
Tom Daley's Personal Mission
In response to the survey findings and his own experience, Tom Daley has publicly stated his desire to broaden his "word repertoire". He emphasised the power of using new or time-honoured phrases to make conversations more engaging, particularly in an era where much communication occurs through texts and calls.
Daley said: "There is real power when using new, or sometimes time-old phrases. They’re a great way to make conversations more interesting, especially with so many of us communicating through texts or calls. I love to chat and feel really inspired to broaden my word repertoire."
Modernising Classic Words for a Comeback
The research suggests that there is a strong desire among Brits to see these lost words make a return. Specifically, 42% of participants believe that classic expressions could stage a successful comeback if they were given a modern twist. For example, shortening 'codswallop' to simply talking 'cods' was cited as a potential adaptation.
Furthermore, a third of those surveyed felt that adapting words in this manner could help bridge the generational communication gap, making language more accessible and relevant across different age groups.
Effectiveness of Vintage Expressions
Despite their often extravagant character, 62% of participants believed that these vintage expressions communicate meaning more effectively than their contemporary equivalents. This indicates a perception that older words can convey nuances and emotions in a way that modern slang sometimes fails to achieve.
An overwhelming 73% of respondents, with the figure rising to 81% among the 25-to-34 age bracket, felt that reviving these terms would inject more colour and vibrancy into everyday conversations. This demographic-specific enthusiasm suggests a particular interest among younger adults in enriching their linguistic landscape.
Support from Gyles Brandreth
Author and television personality Gyles Brandreth, who collaborated with Tesco Mobile and Tom Daley on the 'Essential Words of the Year' campaign, echoed the call to celebrate and preserve these linguistic treasures. The campaign supports Tesco Mobile's Essentials pay-as-you-go tariff, aiming to promote more meaningful communication.
Brandreth commented: "We should celebrate these lost phrases and keep them alive." His endorsement adds weight to the movement, highlighting the cultural and historical value of maintaining a diverse vocabulary.
Top 20 Time-Honoured Words to Bring Back
The survey culminated in a list of the top 20 classic British words that participants would love to see make a regular return. This list serves as a practical guide for those looking to enrich their language use:
- Flabbergasted
- Chuffed
- Gobsmacked
- Bamboozled
- Codswallop
- Blimey
- Malarkey
- Kerfuffle
- Gallivanting
- Crikey
- Gosh
- Hanky panky
- Jolly
- Fiddlesticks
- Skedaddle
- Perplexed
- Flummoxed
- Whippersnapper
- Tomfoolery
- Poppycock
In summary, Tom Daley's viral moment on Celebrity Traitors has catalysed a wider discussion about the revival of classic British words. With strong public support and backing from figures like Gyles Brandreth, there is a tangible movement towards bringing these expressive terms back into everyday use, enriching communication across generations.
