Talk:erstwhile

Deleting 'Obsolete' tag

Its not obsolete, it may be considered poncey by some. Then again I know people who think words like 'defiance' or 'triumphant' are 'gay'. Its a perfectly good word and still in common usage in Ireland and Britain. If its in use, its not obsolete. Random example from RTE News (an internet story mind you)

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1227/twitter.html

this google news search for 2010-2011 produced 9,330 instances of 'erstwhile' from all over the world.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=erstwhile&num=20&hl=en&safe=off&gl=uk&sa=X&ei=IYT8TsrMPMGc8gOorJyaAQ&ved=0CBgQpwUoCw&source=lnt&tbs=cdr%3A1%2Ccd_min%3A2010%2Ccd_max%3A2011&tbm=nws

It sometimes implies a slightly comic tone. Also it might imply that the subject might return - ie no longer be "former". Ueser jimsun (February 2007)

Obsolete?

Are you certain this word is obsolete in the adverbial usage? I see it in contemporary writing with some frequency. Perhaps, then, it should be considered literary?

nothing patronizing here!

I say, chaps, here's a dictionary that doesn't treat us all like fucking plebs. No need for a definition of "erstwhile" is there? Any more than for table or bumboy, is there? Should be more of it. Well done sir, have a glass of port on us.