Remember when spelling wasn’t just about autocorrect and red squiggly lines? This quiz hearkens back to the days when dictionaries were heavy, Scrabble was serious, and spelling bees were the Olympics of intellect. We've rustled up 25 gloriously vintage and delightfully tricky words that once peppered parlors, penny dreadfuls, and proper dinner parties. Think you've got the chops to spell like it's 1955? Grab your #2 pencil—or just your brain—and prove that your linguistic reflexes haven’t gone the way of the dodo. No pressure. Just fun, a touch of wit, and a heap of nostalgic wordplay.
Which is the correct spelling for this Victorian-era complaint about a lack of energy?
Lassitude
Lasicitude
Lassatude
Lasytude
How do you spell the word for a formal and old-school type of hat?
Bowler
Bolar
Boeler
Boller
How do you spell the verb meaning to chatter meaninglessly, often used in the 1940s?
Pratter
Prattel
Pratl
Prattle
Spell this formal word for a ghost or specter:
Apperition
Apparition
Appiration
Apperatian
Which spelling is correct for a word describing fussy attention to detail, especially in etiquette?
Persnickety
Pursnickety
Persnicketty
Persnikkety
What is the correct spelling for this vintage term meaning nonsense or rubbish?
Baloney
Bologna
Bologne
Bolona
Choose the correct spelling for a dramatic and often theatrical outburst:
Conniption
Coniption
Koniption
Conipshen
Choose the correct spelling for a small amount or a tiny quantity:
Skoshe
Skosh
Skoch
Skoush
Which is the right spelling for the elegant way of saying "a lover of luxury"?
Sybarite
Sibarite
Syberite
Sybbarite
What’s the proper spelling for the smell of rain on dry earth?
Petrichor
Petricore
Petrychore
Petrikore
What’s the proper spelling for an old-fashioned term meaning to ramble on?
Meander
Maunder
Mondar
Maundar
Spell the word for a mischievous person or troublemaker:
Scalliwag
Scallywag
Scalawag
Scalliwagg
Spell the word meaning excessive or insincere flattery:
Obsequiousness
Obsequiouness
Obsekwiusness
Obsecwiousness
Choose the correct spelling of this French-derived word for a trinket:
Bauble
Bawble
Bouble
Boble
How do you spell the word that means to criticize unfairly or belittle?
Denegrate
Denigrate
Denigrade
Danigrate
Room for Improvement...
You gave it the old-school try, and that’s what counts! So maybe spelling’s not your strongest suit, but your flair for nostalgia and wordplay is evident. Keep reading those classics and flipping through dictionaries—you’ll be a vintage vocab champ in no time.
Well done! You've got a solid grasp on the quirks and charms of vintage vocabulary. A few more spelling bees and you’ll be ready to waltz into any 1940s parlor and dominate the conversation with style. Keep practicing!
Bravo! You're clearly a lover of luscious language and a connoisseur of charmingly crusty vocabulary. Whether you grew up reading dusty novels or just have a fantastic memory, you’ve proven your spelling mettle. Keep those mental dictionaries sharp—you’re a walking, talking lexicon!
Subscribe and REMOVE ALL ADS
LOVE our articles but HATE our ads? For only $3.89 per month, enjoy a seamless, ad-free experience that lets you focus on what matters most — enjoying all of our content, uninterrupted. 🔒 100% Secure Payment 📅 Cancel Anytime, No Strings Attached Unlock a cleaner, faster browsing experience today and gain the freedom to navigate without visual clutter.
Ready for a Ad-Free experience? Upgrade now for just $3.89/month!
To enable your Ad-Free Subscription, please fill the fields below
Thank you for your subscription!
Your subscription was successful, now you can enjoy an ad-free experience!! Note: To make sure you get no ads, please make sure to log in to your account. If you are logged in already, then refresh the page. The subscription can be cancelled at any time.
This content is reserved for our members
Join Our Community for FREE and Enjoy:
Full and free access to ALL content.
The 'Daily Mail' service sends the highest quality and the most fascinating content directly to your inbox.
Shai K.
6/12/2025
Go to BabaMail
