Fossil word facts for kids

A fossil word is a word that isn't used anymore except in one idiom or phrase.

Examples

• ado in "without further ado"
• fro in "to and fro"
• helter skelter
• hither in "come hither"
• kith in "kith and kin"
• riddance in "good riddance"
• shebang in "the whole shebang"
• yore in "days of yore"

See also

In Spanish: Fósil lingüístico para niños