I wonder why we don’t say “forsooth” more often. It’s so deliciously snarky. According to Le Dictionary, it’s “used to give an ironic politeness to questions”. For real y’all. Ironic politeness. That’s a thing and that’s a thing I need to make more use of.
For example, next time one of my friends starts dating a guy I think is a douche-canoe, I can say something like “Forsooth, I think he is swell.” And they will think I’m being nice when I’m really saying he is a Jerky McJerkerson. It’s ironic politeness because social conventions dictates that I have to be cordial because my friend likes him, but my inner truth dictates that I despise the very sight of him. “Forsooth allows me to maintain my borderline socially acceptable behavior and keep my inner truth happy. Boom! Girl on the Contrary for the win.
I feel like this “forsooth” thing is really going to work out well for me, prepare yourselves for excessive amounts of ironic politeness. Also, I may occasionally use it as a substitute curse word. For example, if I were to drop a heavy book on my toe, I would say “FORSOOTH!”, or if I found out that someone was talking mad trash about me I could say “She’s a forsoothing forsoother.” Man, this word is a gold mine!
Hmmmm…..I wonder if Elmo should reconsider his love of the word…..
Nah.
You would not believe how often I’ve used the word ‘forsooth’ since reading this. My husband has started too now. We are thinking of adding in verily occasionally too.
So proud of y’all!
Forsooth, thou hast hit upon a word no longer in the parlance. LOL as forsooth the youth may utter on-line these fair days.
Exactly.
Absolute BEST Word of the Day EVER. That is all.
I agree.
Ahh so much knowledge in here…
is this like the bless your soul thing? or is that worse?
I hadn’t thought of it that way, but it totally is like “Bless Your Heart”!!! Brilliant!
I like the way you pointed out Your Heart!! haha you should have slipped a dummy in there
No, seriously you rock and twist the English language and you’re obviously too polite to correct people
Such a forsoother!
Well, I don’t know about “forsooth,” but I’ll certainly be adding “douche-canoe” to my vocabulary…
I’m good with that.
douche-canoe??? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. One of my characters WILL use that….
Hooray!
Hilarious! I want to forsooth people too! (although I don’t have the guts to do it like you do.) *sad face*
You should forsooth to your hearts content!
Ironic politeness. It IS perfect. And it’s so funny you said that about using it as a swear word, because I JUST sent this clip to a friend a few minutes ago (I can’t help it – Hoops and YoYo are yet another guilty pleasure for me): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEIH_yQkz5A
We’re probably soul-sisters. And by probably, I mean definitely.
I blame texting, & those who only comunicate thusly. all the great words are disappearing ! “4Suth”…. see, it doesnt translate….
Oh wow, it really really does not.
The only use of “Forsooth” I could find in the Lord of the Rings was this from Eomer, in “The Two Towers.
“What aid can he give to you, forsooth? All he desires is to escape from his plight.” which actually seems appropriate for the Jerky McJerkerson situations.
You never fail me. Not once.
sheer brilliance!
You’re not forsoothing me, are you?
Hahah!
I wouldn’t dare
haha, hilarious!
Thanks!
Would the modern version be OMG?
I think the modern version is less of a word and more of an eye-roll.
OH YES! I know the eye roll well …. I have a wife daughter and two granddaughters who are proficient practitioners of the eye roll and the pfffffftttttt that goes with it
You make me laugh!!! I will be using this word in my head now for the rest of the day!
You should use it to be ironically polite to someone.
I am so totally with you! Forsooth is my new favorite word.
Mine too!
I shall also commence using that word forthwith…
Huzzah!!
GENIUS!
Can you tell other people that too? I feel like I’m not getting enough recognition for being a genius these days.
Hahahahahha hot ghana agternoon and am sitn I s a cab thinkn of who am gonna use the word on. Omg who ever made cool too simple a word to describe you messed up english for me. But now you are simple abusing the word thou. X_x …….. “She’s a forsoothing forsoother.”. ……. Okay now you have my full attention haha
Glad you enjoyed it!
And don’t forget Odd’s Bodkins!
Of course not!
I applaud you for using “douche canoe” and “forsooth” in the same sentence. I had never heard of the first term before (at least not that combination), and I’ve never spoken/written the latter term before. Good luck in your forsoothing endeavor.
Thank you- I like to mix it up linguistically.
Reblogged this on Songs from the Coal Face and commented:
This is so good I don’t even have to add my own twist to it. Forsooth, where has this word been all my life??
Love this!! Forsooth – a great blog!
Really? Or are you being ironically polite?
Well, it was a great blog…but it was a weak attempt at giving you a compliment while being amusing simultaneously…:-)
Reblogged this on Here A Blog, There A Blog.