I found them in a drama translation and they look like obsolete to me. Are them used ?
2007-09-13 05:24:42 · 3 answers · asked by Theta40 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
You're not that likely to hear either of them from young people. But there is a difference.
"Fiddlesticks!" is an expression of frustration, a very mild substitute for cursing, which most people now consider a bit TOO mild or subdued. . . it doesn't sound quite serious enough. It would probably be hard to say it WITHOUT sounding old-fashioned.
"Balderdash", while perhaps not common these days, is a different kind of word. It could much more easily be used without sounding behind-the-times. I think it can be made to work (if you know how) because it actually sounds STRONGER than "nonsense", and actually ADDS something to the sense... that of being confused/muddled. (On the other hand, other substitutes --like "stuff and nonsense" and perhaps "poppycock" -- might well sound stodgy!)
2007-09-13 06:03:44 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are still used. I hear them occasionally but usually from the older generations. The younger generations most likely use 4 letter words to express them selves. Fairly low language skills.
There are a number of words that fall into the similar category that you have identified. Words like "Flabbergasted" they sound fun to say, but not really words that are used much anymore.
2007-09-13 05:35:21 · answer #2 · answered by slice of jam 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My grandma still does but she's 86
2007-09-13 05:32:00 · answer #3 · answered by ryankneale 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋