Traditional British words dying out

In a study carried out to mark the launch of Planet Word, a book by JP Davidson, it seems that a string of traditionally British words such as cripes and balderdash are dying out amid the popularity of shortened text-style terms.

Researchers also found that only 82 per cent are familiar with the word raconteur and 70 per cent have never used the word shenanigans. One in 15 adults has never used the word drat and half didn’t know what a cad was.  In spite of this, 83 per cent think they have a good vocabulary.

The book accompanies the current series of the same name presented by my wordy hero Stephen Fry.