... use of words such as recollect, aggravate, and oblige.
I don't know what to do first: bristle up at being called old-fashioned, rustic, and slow (for the record, I do not live in Appalachia), or ask in genuine astonishment: "Do you mean to tell me these three words aren't common all over the U.S.?" 'Cause they sure are alive and kickin', here.

Well, Jackie, I'd be happy to oblige you. As near as I can recollect, some folks do tend to aggravate you by telling you they don't use those words! I, myself, use them often, and I am not in Appalachia either!