OBSOLETE, adj. No longer used by the timid. Said chiefly of words. A word which some lexicographer has marked obsolete is ever thereafter an object of dread and loathing to the fool writer, but if it is a good word and has no exact modern equivalent equally good, it is good enough for the good writer. Indeed, a writer's attitude toward "obsolete" words is as true a measure of his literary ability as anything except the character of his work. A dictionary of obsolete and obsolescent words would not only be singularly rich in strong and sweet parts of speech; it would add large possessions to the vocabulary of every competent writer who might not happen to be a competent reader.


What do you think it means?
This is from the Devil's dictionary.

Especially the last sentence.

you must have a predilection for irony.

here is a bit of good advice that I found:

You should use obsolete or archaic words when:

1 No other word will serve (as in a scholarly piece about history or linguistics, for example).

2 You want to confuse your audience or make them laugh.

3 You want to sound pretentious or pedantic.

Note: this is hard advice for me to pass on, as I have an entire web site based on obscure, abstruse and/or recondite words, which often run to obsolete and archaic extremes.

Ambrose Bierce, author of The Devil's Dictionary, was noted for his acerbic definitions. Another example:

Thank you.