The Joy of using Archaic Words

Today’s word: Aroint

Here we are again.  Time for another Post aka Time for another Archaic word for me to find Joy about discussing.   And of course, found another word that I had absolutely no clue existed.   Like finding coins in the couch/chesterfield cushions or finding a $20 bill lying around in a parking lot, this word, a very pleasant surprise.     

This post, I am going to discuss the word, Aroint.  From my copy of the New World Dictionary (America English, 3^rd edition), aroint is a verb meaning begone (go away or get out); avaunt (go away) (usually followed by thee); used in the imperative aka a command or order.  According to Google, in the your dictionary website, aroint is a verb, used in the imperative to express an order of dismissal, or begone, avaunt (usually followed by thee); archaic meaning, to dispel, to drive away.  Again, according to Google, from Collins English Dictionary website, aroint is a verb, meaning to drive away. 

Going to sound like a broken record again, but Aroint was not the first choice for today’s post.   There were two, count them TWO other words I was contemplating about discussing for the post.  I was flipping through the dictionary, came across Aroint and BAM, read it, fell in love with the word immediately and just had to discuss it for the Post.  Reading about aroint on-line, there are references to aroint being used firstly by none other than Monsieur William Shakespeare, in both King Lear and MacBeth.  This is why it is used as an imperative verb (command aka Aroint thee, Witch!).  Basically, one person is forcefully telling another person: BEGONE!!!  BUGGER OFF!!  SCRAM!!!  LEAVE THIS INSTANT!!!  FIND THE NEAREST LAKE AND JUMP IN IT!!!!  AMSCRAY YA VARMIT!!!!  In this day and age, instead of saying “GET OUT!!” or “LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!!!”, one can say “Aroint.    .    .     RIGHT NOW!!!!!!” OR “AROINT YOUR SORRY SELF/ASS, OUT OF HERE!!!”  It is definitely not a kind word to voice to another person, needless to say.   

Just to speak for a moment about how Archaic this word actually is, there is a reason why Jordan Peele did not call his movie AROINT instead of GET OUT, not everyone would understand.  Aroint basically is the same as Get Out, could potentially use them interchangeably.  However, Fans of Shakespeare would understand Get Out = Aroint, but not the vast majority of the English speaking population.  I wouldn’t understood and I read Macbeth over a decade ago, as a Lark, for Fun.  I did not remember “Aroint thee Witch” line at all, no frigging clue that the word, aroint, even existed.   I also have seen a Macbeth play that one of my relatives was in, nearly 20 years away, did not remember that line, did not remember aroint, not one bit.  So now, learning the meaning of Aroint, oh, DEFINITELY a Joy 😊😊.  I can use it now, for example, instead of saying “Leave Now!!”, can say “Aroint Out of my Sight!!!  Please (still a Canuck, prefer to remain polite).”  I can imagine in Star Trek: TNG, episode The Icarus Factor where Worf yells at Data “with all due respect.   BEGONE!!!   Sir.”  Worf instead yells “with all due respect    AROINT!!!   Sir”.  Or instead of telling someone to Get Lost, I can tell them to Aroint out of here.  Better yet, instead using profanity like “Get the F*&k out of Here Mother F&*ker!!!”, can say “AROINT EXCEPTIONALLY FECKLESS (useless) ONE!!”   Another Joy, using Aroint instead of profanity to tell someone to leave immediately.  Cool 😊  😊.   I will admit, I am surprised it is not commonly used in movies, particularly war, military or action movies.  I cannot see John Wayne saying “Aroint Solider.”  M from the Bond movies, yeah, I can see that character voicing “Aroint Mr. Bond.”  Definitely see Deadpool saying “You know, I’m Arointing my ass out of here.  Egressing Bitches!!!!!”

To recap, Aroint is a verb which one could use instead of Begone or Get out or Go away where one is basically commanding another person to leave effective immediately.   

Thanks everyone for reading.  Much appreciated.  Please have a good couple of weeks ahead.  May there be more positives occurring in the next 14 days than negatives.      

BDJ signing off.  Merci.