Puzzle #8 · June 9, 2025
time immemorial
Featured
Fossil Word
Every day one two-word expression or compound word used in American English.
Fossil Word
The word immemorial has been a part of the English language for so long no one can remember when it started - it's from time immemorial, which is what we say to mean, it's so old, it seems like it has been there forever.
But the word immemorial almost never appears other than in this exact phrase, time immemorial. Therefore the word immemorial is considered to be a fossil word. It isn't otherwise extinct.
But the word immemorial almost never appears other than in this exact phrase, time immemorial. Therefore the word immemorial is considered to be a fossil word. It isn't otherwise extinct.
Puzzle Appearances
The expression time immemorial has appeared in 1 puzzle:
- Puzzle #8 on June 9, 2025
Rate of Appearance in English Language Print
Google's Ngram project shows how often a pair of words has appeared in print every year since the 1800's.
Data from Google Books Ngram Viewer. Licensed under CC BY 3.0.
Explore More Expressions
Everyday the Wordcels Puzzle has a featured expression showing meaning, history and connection to culture. Explore them all.
The Wordcels Puzzle
Think you've mastered Americanisms? The two-word phrases, compound words and idiomatic expressions of American English? Each day the Wordcels Puzzle provides 15 words that must be arranged to form 16 expressions. Give it a try.
