Why "unfortunately" but not "alas?"

[JohnZ117]

"Alas" has fallen out of favor with everyday English

Joke's on you, I happen to use it practically every day.

How bad is your life that you must speak constantly of unfortunate situations?

No money, no girl, no job, being forced on a 'work placement' where one works 9-5 for no money, but you get to keep your £70 a week benefits.
'tis a bit rough, alas. Hence the general disparaging nature of my wordings.

On the bright side, if you get a rhyming dictionary and a Southern U.S. accent, you've got yourself a country song or two.

 

[Olas]

I don't think it even occurs to most people to say "alas" since it's become such an uncommon word. Feel free to use it though, I think chrome has an extension that let's you automatically replace words so at least you can make it SEEM like the word is used more.