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by Zibet58 on December 31st, 2008
Malapropism when using sesquipedalian verbiage makes me manical... :)
by Waiting for Illumination on December 31st, 2008
We have a word for them - sesquipedalianists, and those who fear them have hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia.
Calling someone a sesquipedalianist (someone who uses sesquipedalians) is somewhat ironic, cause, clearly one employs a rather large word to criticize someone who uses large words.
by Rahbar on December 31st, 2008
Nothing!It's their right to use them....
by Zibet58 on January 1st, 2009
I'm a teacher....language arts.....I try to teach the kids how important it is to use descriptive words when writing, but that they better know what the words mean before they put pen to paper..... LOL..... :)
by Prime wants the old AB back on December 31st, 2008
If they know that they mean, that's one thing; I might learn something from them. If they don't, I think that they are pretentious.
by Tsamaya is on semi-retirement on December 31st, 2008
As I don't know most of those words, I say "thank you" .... and run for the dictionary!!!
by Baccduckus is a Carbonproduct on December 31st, 2008
I think: "Hehehehe!"
by Corrie on December 31st, 2008
I say they are real pontificators!!! (jklol)
by Rin on December 31st, 2008
heh... either they read too many textbooks, or they do not normally mix with 'lower class' people, or they just don't know how to use a language properly!
by Mr.Dance on December 31st, 2008
They bug me, but I am not the smartest so I must check my self. But I say Screw them for now.
by branciforte3241 on June 20th, 2009
If someone is using "big words" when they don't add anything to the message, then yes, that is silly and pretentious. However, if you are familiar with those words they can lend subtlety and concision to the conversation. I have many friends with extensive educations, some formal and some not. When we talk I'm sure we use words that are not familiar to some people. It's not that the words are bigger, it's just that they are more expressive, they fit the message better. If we settle for the lowest common denominator then we'll all wind up talking like seven-year-olds.
As for insecurity, I can't recall ever hearing someone use big words because they were insecure. What I do see a lot is people being insecure because their vocabulary is not as extensive as someone else's. Then they lash out at what they don't understand and they call the speaker arrogant and pretentious.
by RC loves ice cream on February 14th, 2009
You mean Germans? :D
by G_tech on February 14th, 2009
Most people who use large expressive words or spew out strings of basically what many people only can understand as unintelligible pretentious nonsense.
Many time these folks are very insecure and do this to cover this up by using BIG words and wind up pushing people away.
Personal I like down to earth folks, those that I can understand what there talking about, I can sling big words with the best but prefer not too, my son at 2 yrs used words much to big for his age but he just liked words and would often ask the definition of a word so as to not use it out of context.
by Gene H on January 8th, 2009
Indubitably they are carrion blitherskipes.
by -NUNYA-- on December 31st, 2008
Well it is their right to use those words so I can't be mad at them. But it can be frustrating to sit and listen to them. Like you are listening to a different language that you don't understand. +3 good question
by betony24.rei-chan on September 12th, 2009
i guess they just want to confuse others. lol! =P
by borasalama on September 9th, 2009
I think of the JWs who always say "yhwh" is a "tetragrammaton" instead of saying it's a four-letter word, which it is.
by Factotum on September 9th, 2009
As long as they take correction I don't mind. I also take correction btw.
by a.c.i.d on September 9th, 2009
IF they can be very eloquent when it, then I simply ADORE them.
by Riding the last galaxy on September 9th, 2009
I don't mind. I just reach for my handy dandy Websters for such occasions. Of course a conversation would go much better and faster if less majestic sounding words were used. :)
by Hillbilly on August 7th, 2009
Maybe they are trying to impress others. Simplicity is best and more affective... after all because we all are not Rocket Scientist.
by Connie on August 7th, 2009
It annoys me. I guess it makes them feel superior...and we know what that means.
by Nightwatchdog on August 6th, 2009
A good vocabulary is a tool to use...while a bad vocabulary is for a fool to use.
by xhepera on June 20th, 2009
What some people call "big" words is scandalous if ya ask me. "Big word" is often a euphemism for "I-dunno-what-that-means-and-can't-be-bothered-to-learn."
English is an incredibly rich language whose words often have multiple shades of meaning. As a writer and poet I often find myself puzzling over just the right word to use to convey the best sense of that which I'm trying to communicate.
There are people who use "big" words indiscriminately and with little to no knowledge of what they mean. I find those people embarrassing. They make me cringe. On the other hand, so do those who accuse people of using "big" words just because *they* are too lazy to explore the rich linguistic heritage that we have access to, and that is our birthright by virtue of being native speakers. It's ironic that many foreign speakers I meet have better vocabularies than many of the Americans I meet.
Vocabulary, spelling and grammar have all taken a hit in this day and age. Particularly with the rise of electronic text communications and the state of our elementary and secondary educational systems. I think it's sad.
I believe in tailoring language to best meet the communication needs of the speaker/writer and the audience. But damned if I'm gonna dumb down my language (particularly when talking mass communication) just because some people are, or might be, lazy. If I come across a word that I'm not familiar with, I look it up. It's that simple.
Once here on AB I replied to question only to be accused by the questioner of "using big words to make yourself look smart and make other people feel dumb." That response gave me loads of information. The words I had used weren't anywhere near "big." They certainly weren't specialized, esoteric or obscure. No, what was going on was this person's own sense of inadequacy (or whatever he was feeling). That makes it his issue to own, not mine.
I'm fascinated by our language and believe that it deserves to be used in all its richness.
by Max Power on June 20th, 2009
They eat dictionaries for snacks.
by philosopher-saint on June 20th, 2009
My ma used to disparage the use of "fifty-cent words".
;-)
by andthenitsgone on February 14th, 2009
Well that was a spontaneous interlude of frivolous dissipation!!
But seriously, they ought to have the tenacity to tone their speech toward the one(s) they're speaking to, but also with the expectancy of them to rise above their current word knowledge. It certainly not cool to have a 30 yr' old with a 7th grade word mentality.
by Rude Bear Ready for Winter on January 8th, 2009
malapropism is my favorite form of humor. When done right, it's hysterical.
by Alias xsicajess on January 8th, 2009
I still like you!! I am getting you that word of the day calendar to help ; )
by Lemonyellow Di Vintage on January 8th, 2009
Complete jabberwocky.
by HeadAlpha on January 7th, 2009
Well, only if their environment is appropriate for such words. If you're talking queen's textbook English in a bar, you're bound to get jumped. But if you're talking like a truck driver at a gala, you're bound to get kicked out.
by Colt COAT of Justice on January 3rd, 2009
Insecure.They are trying to impress someone or themselves
by AnonymousGirl on January 1st, 2009
They use big words a lot? What else would I think of them? One of my boyfriend's friends is like that. He's awesome.
by Aksafari on January 1st, 2009
That's so dispensational.
If something really embarrassing just happened, could you look that person in the eye and explain?
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Comments
lol. ++++++
by Sodapop on January 1st, 2009
dogberryism
by St. Thomas on January 3rd, 2009
Ah...St. Thomas....did you too, "comprehend an auspicious question" ......
My apologies to The Bard of Avon.... :)
by Zibet58 on January 3rd, 2009
Heh heh heh +6
by Theby on June 20th, 2009