Do You Know Enough Old-Timey Words to Read Your Grandparents Love Letters?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Do You Know Enough Old-Timey Words to Read Your Grandparents Love Letters?
Image: H. Armstrong Roberts / Retrofile RF / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Perchance you've run across a few of your grandparents' old love letters. Are you hip to enough old-timey words to read them, though? There were words in common use even a few decades ago that seem to have disappeared from our vocabularies now. You'll have to use all of your inherited brainpower during this quiz to figure out what your grandparents meant when they were writing sweet nothings to one another. 

Would it alarm your family to know that your grandma once thought of herself as a fizgig, or would they giggle at the notion? Throughout this quiz, you'll get to read some of your family's most intimate correspondence. Try not to take anything out of context and start a family rumor before you choose the correct meaning of their words. 

When you read the line from their letters, take a moment to put yourself in their shoes. What might sound a little salacious at first is probably nothing to be concerned about. But you'll have to choose the right meaning to find out. You'll find their letters a little embarrassing, because who wants to think of your grandparents being involved in a passionate buss? But you're sure to think they're endearing. Will you really know what they say, though? 

Old-Timey Words 1
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If your grandfather told your grandmother that she made him feel "full of appetency," what was he feeling?
Frustration
Hunger
Desire
Mixed feelings
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Expressing appetency is another way of saying that you feel a longing or a desire. Your grandfather wouldn't be your grandfather if there weren't any appetency during the first phase of their relationship.

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Old-Timey Words 2
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"My dearest, I have been smitten with you since the moment I saw you." Which word also means smitten?
Affright
Fandangled
Enamored
Loathly
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If your grandfather had written this letter, the word would have been smitten. Smitten is the very opposite of smiting. Being smitten with someone means that you're totally enamored.

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Old-Timey Words 3
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What would your grandmother be accepting of a letter that read "please accept the enclosed bijou as a token of my affection?"
A piece of jewelry
A lock of hair
A dowry
A feather
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bijou is a word that originates in Brittany — an inhabited area in the northwestern part of France. If your grandmother were accepting a bijou, she would be the new owner of a small trinket or piece of jewelry.

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Old-Timey Words 4
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Your grandmother warned your grandpops that she could be a bit froward in the mornings, but what did she mean?
Chipper
Forgetful
Grumpy
Clumsy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Grandma is a human being, too. What human really likes mornings? Even though she might have been a little froward, or grumpy, in the mornings, she was polite enough to give your granddad a heads-up.

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Old-Timey Words 5
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"Our first kiss left me feeling zwodder." How was your Grandma feeling after the kiss?
Dizzy
Excited
Lonely
Loved
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It must have been one magical kiss! The first kiss between your grandmother and your grandfather left your grandmom feeling dizzy. You'll want to add zwodder to your vocabulary now, won't you?

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Old-Timey Words 6
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Grandma advised, "You'll have look out for my father. He can be a little bit of a cockalorum." What's a cockalorum?
An overprotective parent
An angry soul
A competitive person
A man who has a high opinion of himself
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before introducing your great-grandfather to your future granddad, your grandma wanted to warn him about his over-inflated opinion of himself. Or, instead of cockalorum, she could have said that he was slightly nithing.

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Old-Timey Words 7
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Your grandma once wrote, "all previous love interests feel like piffle compared to you." What did she mean by piffle?
Drama
Nonsense
Childish
Boring
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When your grandmother compared her previous dates to your grandfather, she was saying that they all felt like trivial nonsense in comparison. Take a lesson from her; no one needs to be in a relationship that feels like piffle.

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Old-Timey Words 8
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What did your grandpa mean when he wrote, "I will plain over the distance between us?"
It means he'll pray about it.
I think he means he'll stay busy until they meet again.
It means that he will cry over it.
It could mean that he'll find out how far apart they are.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ahh, young love! Being forced to be apart is enough to make star-crossed lovers cry over it, lament about it or plain over it. Your grandparents must have spent hours pining for one another!

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Old-Timey Words 9
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"The world feels so schnikked without you by my side." What do you think your Grandad meant by schnikked?
Big
Cold
Cruel
Underwhelming
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you've found your true love, sunshine seems brighter and birds chirp louder. It's not unusual for the world to feel warmer when you have a special someone by your side. Here, your grandpa used the word "schnikked" to describe the feeling of coldness he felt without his main squeeze.

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Old-Timey Words 10
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In a letter your grandma wrote, she says that your grandpa's touch leaves her feeling purfled. What did she mean by that?
Breathless
Lost in a daydream
Hopeful for the future
Depressed by the longing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Obviously, your grandparents had a physical relationship, too. Otherwise, you wouldn't be taking this quiz. Your grandmother used the word "purfled" to express the breathless feeling your grandad's handholding always left her with.

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Old-Timey Words 11
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Do you know what your grandparents meant when they promised to love each other even when they were batten?
Incontinent
Toothless
Senile
Fat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If your grandparents' love letters show anything at all, it's that they were fully committed to one another from day one. By using the word "batten," they promised to love each other even when they got older and fattened up.

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Old-Timey Words 12
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Where did your Pops want to take your Granny when he said, "I would be delighted to take you to a bouffage?"
A club
A movie
A beach
A nice meal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Your grandparents probably enjoyed a few dozen bouffages and long walks before taking their relationship to the next level. Bouffage is an old-timey French word that means a nice meal.

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Old-Timey Words 13
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"You'll have to forgive my quixotism, darling. I'm crazy about you." What is meant by quixotism?
Romantic gestures
Clueless look
Gushing enthusiasm
Clingy nature
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It sounds like your granddad was quite the romantic! Even the fact that he used the word quixotism to woo your grandma is adorable. She must have appreciated all his sweet gestures and notions.

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Old-Timey Words 14
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When your grandpops told your grandma that his brother was a dormedory, what did he mean?
A camel farmer
A well-respected politician
A lazy person
The black sheep
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Without the aid of social media, young lovers were left to learn about their future in-laws the old-fashioned way. Here, your granddad is saying that your great uncle was a lazy person with little ambition.

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Old-Timey Words 15
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Your grandfather wrote, "The riband you wore in your hair made you look beautiful." What was he talking about?
A veil
A ribbon
A barrette
A headband
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Depending on when your grandmother was born, she could have worn any one of these things in her hair. Your granddad seems to really like the ribbon, or riband, that she wore on their date, though.

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Old-Timey Words 16
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What did your grandmother mean when she wrote, "I will utter an orison that I see you again soon?"
Wish
Song
Prayer
Chant
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Orison is a word that is derived from the word orate or to speak out loud. In this case, your grandmother is going to say a prayer. She wanted to see your grandfather so badly that she was willing to ask the heavens for it.

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Old-Timey Words 17
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Do you know what your grandpa meant when he assured your grandmother that he was not a coxcomb?
He's not a cheater.
He's not going to leave her.
He's not lying about his feelings.
He's not a conceited man.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not many men would admit to being a coxcomb, but you can spot a conceited man across a crowded room. Thankfully, your grandfather was humble and sweet when he sent letters to your grandma.

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Old-Timey Words 18
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"Your love is aliment for my soul." Any idea what aliment might be?
Sanity
Food
Medicine
Encouragement
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Your grandfather was waxing a little poetic with this line! When he says that your grandmom is an "aliment for his soul," he means that she is the food or nourishment that he needs. Awww!

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Old-Timey Words 19
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How was your grandma describing herself when she said that she was a fizgig?
Tall and lanky
Silly and flirtatious
Studious and intellectual
Short and curvy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lighten up! Your grandmother certainly did when she was dating your pops. When she described herself as a fizgig, it was her way of saying that he makes her feel silly and flirtatious.

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Old-Timey Words 20
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Grandma says she has been quite bootless since your grandfather has been on her mind. Do you know what she's saying?
She's saying that she's been useless.
She's saying that she's been barefoot.
I think Grandma was saying that she's been extremely smitten.
It's her way of saying she's been having naughty thoughts.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We're hoping that your grandfather didn't leave your grandmother out in the cold in her bare feet! Saying that she's been bootless since meeting him means that she's been unable to function normally and feels quite useless.

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Old-Timey Words 21
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What do you think your grandfather was talking about when he said, "I con every word you write?"
He takes them to heart.
I think it means that he cherishes her words.
It means that he shares them with friends.
He memorizes them.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

How sweet! Your grandfather loved receiving your granny's letters so much that he read them again and again until he memorized them. Back in their day, con wasn't such a bad word.

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Old-Timey Words 22
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"I think of you as the ruler of my demesne." What is your grandmother describing here?
Destiny
Life
Heart
Domain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Look at your grandmother using all these big, fancy words! You probably already knew she was smart, but using the word demesne instead of domain is the stuff of literary giants. Go, Granny!

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Old-Timey Words 23
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In one letter, your grandfather asked, "Will you be my leman?" What did he want your grandmother to be?
His date to a dance
His sweetheart
His penpal
His bowling partner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Look at grandpa finally getting up the nerve to make a commitment! When he asked your grandma to be his leman, he was looking to make it official. Upon agreeing, she was known as his sweetheart from then on out.

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Old-Timey Words 24
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If your grandparents agreed to meet in a sennight, when would they see each other?
In a month
Tomorrow
Next year
In a week
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even a moment apart from your one true love can feel like an eternity. Your grandma and grandpa would have had to wait for seven whole days to be together again if they agreed to meet in a sennight.

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Old-Timey Words 25
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Grandma's letter stated, "I have not been able to guttle since meeting you." What has she been unable to do?
Sleep soundly
Focus on tasks
Get him out of her mind
Eat a lot
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All those crazy chemicals that love sends coursing into our systems can throw us off our daily routines. When grandma says that she cannot guttle, she is without the ability to stuff herself full of food.

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Old-Timey Words 26
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Pops wrote that your grandma took his heart through the welkin. Where did she take it?
Through the wringer
Through the looking glass
Through the gates of heaven
To the dark side
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can't get much more romantic than telling someone that they've taken your heart through the welkin. Back in their day, welkin was the word used to describe the passage through the gates of heaven.

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Old-Timey Words 27
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Your granny signed off on the letter by saying, "My dearest, I will think of you at every eventide." When will she think of him?
Every evening
At midnight
At noon
Every morning
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Just as the sun is setting and dusk is taking over the world, you are experiencing the time of day that your grandparents called eventide. Your grandmother loved to think of your granddad as she watched the sun go down.

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Old-Timey Words 28
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He wrote, "You will never be a bedlam to me." What will your grandmother never be?
A bore
A burden
An old woman
A doxy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We're sure your grandfather meant well when he told your grandmother that she would never be an old woman to him. It was his rather less-than-eloquent way of saying that she will always be young in his heart.

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Old-Timey Words 29
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Grandma got romantic when she wrote, "I can't wait until our next buss." What was she anxiously awaiting?
Their next meeting
Their conversation
Their next kiss
Their next dance
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A kiss was not just a kiss back during your grandparents' day. A kiss, or a buss, was a much less casual affair back then. They might have waited for months before finally locking lips.

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Old-Timey Words 30
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If your grandfather wanted to meet at God's acre for a date, where would your grandparents have been going?
An arcade
A churchyard
A public park
A local restaurant
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It wasn't uncommon for dates to be held in public during your grandparents' day. During this invitation, your grandfather is suggesting that he and your grandma meet at the churchyard. Maybe they heard wedding bells while they were there!

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Old-Timey Words 31
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Granny once penned the phrase "goodly man" when talking about your granddad. What does goodly mean?
Sweet
Wealthy
Tall
Attractive
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Telling your grandfather that he was a goodly man was quite the flirtatious comment. Goodly can mean attractive or virtuous. We're betting that she meant both when she was talking about your pops.

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Old-Timey Words 32
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What was your gran going to make your granddad when she said she would make him a kickshaw?
A scarf
A happy man
A bubble bath
A fancy dish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We're sure your grandma drew a few bubble baths for your grandpa after they were beyond the letter-writing phase. When she's promised to make him a kickshaw, she's offering to make food for him, though.

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Old-Timey Words 33
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"You opened my heart like a professional peterman." What did pops mean by peterman?
A janitor
A psychiatrist
A safecracker
A shop owner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Perhaps, your granddad's heart was a little guarded before your grandma swept him off his feet. In this letter, he's saying that she's managed to steal his heart with the precision of a professional safecracker.

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Old-Timey Words 34
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What did your grandpa mean when he wrote, "A man who couldn't love you is a real poltroon?"
Coward
Jerk
Popinjay
Loser
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Love is not for the faint of heart! Your grandfather was accusing all your grandmother's previous dates of being cowards when he used the word poltroon. Thank goodness he was a seemingly fearless man, or you wouldn't be answering these questions.

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Old-Timey Words 35
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"Our love makes me feel as though I have saturnism." What did your grandmother feel like she had?
The flu
Lead poisoning
The vapors
An unfulfilled need
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lead was not as highly regulated back in your grandparents' day as it is now. Although we're fairly sure your grandmother never suffered from it, it was an adorable way of saying that he makes her feel flighty with love.

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