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If you say *big word* then "so" then *synonym-of-big-word* does that....
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:35 am
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:35 am
If you say a big word like irregular, and then say, "so, not regular at all"
Does that come off to others as
1) You are trying to comnunicate effectively to everyone
2) You are being redundant
3) You are trying to look like a smart-arse?
PSA, I know irregular is a bad choice here, but it gets the point across. Substitute any big word and simpler synonym in its place.
Does that come off to others as
1) You are trying to comnunicate effectively to everyone
2) You are being redundant
3) You are trying to look like a smart-arse?
PSA, I know irregular is a bad choice here, but it gets the point across. Substitute any big word and simpler synonym in its place.
This post was edited on 10/4/17 at 8:39 am
21
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:38 am to Pectus
Better examples:
Enigmatic -- puzzling
Ephemeral -- short-lived
Enigmatic -- puzzling
Ephemeral -- short-lived
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:38 am to Pectus
If you think the people are too stupid to understand the big word, then just use the simpler word.
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:38 am to Pectus
To me it seems like you're speaking down to your audience. In an educational setting, I see nothing wrong with it. In everyday conversation, it seems pretentious.
ETA: This quote from above my post sums it up nicely
ETA: This quote from above my post sums it up nicely
quote:
If you think the people are too stupid to understand the big word, then just use the simpler word.
This post was edited on 10/4/17 at 8:40 am
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:38 am to Pectus
Looks like you are being supercilious, so, superior, to everyone.
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:39 am to Pectus
quote:
If you say *big word* then "so" then *synonym-of-big-word* does that....
If you refer to a word that is not common in most people's vocabulary as a big word, please refrain from using "big" words.
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:40 am to Pectus
Like you're an a-hole who doesn't think people know what a word means.
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:40 am to Pectus
Always speak at the level of your audience, so never both
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:41 am to Pectus
throw in a couple of "vis-à-vis" in your sentence to really come off as brilliant or "big word smart"
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:42 am to Pectus
I received an award that was fait accompli instead of saying I achieved fait accompli?
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:42 am to Pectus
It’s condescending even if the person listening doesn’t know the meaning of the word. It not only assumes they don’t know, it assumes they can’t figure out the word in the context that it’s used and also that they don’t have the ability or interest in looking up the word later.
I’m even cautious of doing this is in front of a classroom. I only give the definition or synonym of the word if it’s an academic word pertaining to the lesson I’m giving. That way it’s entirely didactic rather than arrogant.
I’m even cautious of doing this is in front of a classroom. I only give the definition or synonym of the word if it’s an academic word pertaining to the lesson I’m giving. That way it’s entirely didactic rather than arrogant.
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:42 am to Pectus
Probably depends on the big word.
Some people are probably calling out the person for being intentionally obtuse or showing off their intellect for no discernible reason.
Others are trying to show off THEIR intellect by demonstrating that they know what the person is talking about.
In both situations, it presumes that the other people around them are unfamiliar with the word. Unless it comes from a word of the day calendar, they're likely being a prick for assuming everyone else is ignorant.
Here's some advice I've used, and it has followed me well:
If you can sum up your point using words you know everyone else around you will understand, do it. Don't mention that you did it, don't feel uppity about it, just do it.
No one will think you're stupid for being succinct. They will think you're an arrogant blowhard if you like using obscure words.
Some people are probably calling out the person for being intentionally obtuse or showing off their intellect for no discernible reason.
Others are trying to show off THEIR intellect by demonstrating that they know what the person is talking about.
In both situations, it presumes that the other people around them are unfamiliar with the word. Unless it comes from a word of the day calendar, they're likely being a prick for assuming everyone else is ignorant.
Here's some advice I've used, and it has followed me well:
If you can sum up your point using words you know everyone else around you will understand, do it. Don't mention that you did it, don't feel uppity about it, just do it.
No one will think you're stupid for being succinct. They will think you're an arrogant blowhard if you like using obscure words.
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:42 am to Pectus
quote:
1) You are trying to comnunicate effectively to everyone
2) You are being redundant
3) You are trying to look like a smart-arse?
4)If coming from pectus, I would assume pectus learned a big word recently and just did not realize everybody is already smarter than him and knew the word or could figure it out.
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:43 am to Pectus
irregular is a big word to you?
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:56 am to Pectus
Im confused. Are you trying to tell us you're constipated?
Posted on 10/4/17 at 9:03 am to Pectus
I'll admit that I often use "big words", and that it's only after I use them that I regret it because it makes me sound pretentious.
In my mind, I'm always trying to communicate as perfectly as I can, and my word of choice just seems to be the most accurate one that comes to mind. So after I realize that I'm sounding like a douche, sometimes I'll try to restate my point using "smaller words" which probably makes me look like a bigger douche.
Point being, I'm sorry for being a smarty pants douche. It's not intentional. I can't help it.
In my mind, I'm always trying to communicate as perfectly as I can, and my word of choice just seems to be the most accurate one that comes to mind. So after I realize that I'm sounding like a douche, sometimes I'll try to restate my point using "smaller words" which probably makes me look like a bigger douche.
Point being, I'm sorry for being a smarty pants douche. It's not intentional. I can't help it.
Posted on 10/4/17 at 9:11 am to Pectus
Open the sentence with "listen here Buster" for maximum effect.
Posted on 10/4/17 at 9:17 am to Pectus
You mean like, if I say..
"People are being critic and criticising "?
"People are being critic and criticising "?
Posted on 10/4/17 at 9:20 am to Pectus
Protip: Just using the term "big words" in the first place can make you seem kinda dumb.
Posted on 10/4/17 at 10:29 am to Pectus
A little bit of all 3.
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