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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 by Pectus
Internet
Member since Apr 2010
67302 posts
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.
This post was edited on 10/4/17 at 8:39 am
Posted by Pectus
Internet
Member since Apr 2010
67302 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:38 am to
Better examples:

Enigmatic -- puzzling

Ephemeral -- short-lived
Posted by nes2010
Member since Jun 2014
6763 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:38 am to
If you think the people are too stupid to understand the big word, then just use the simpler word.
Posted by LNCHBOX
70448
Member since Jun 2009
84124 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:38 am to
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
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 by LCA131
Home of the Fake Sig lines
Member since Feb 2008
72602 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:38 am to
Looks like you are being supercilious, so, superior, to everyone.
Posted by LSU_Saints_Hornets
Uptown NO,LA
Member since Jan 2013
9739 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:39 am to
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 by Pectus
Internet
Member since Apr 2010
67302 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:40 am to
Haha.

Your copying of the structure there was perfunctory, so quickly and easily accomplished.
Posted by TexasTiger1185
New Orleans
Member since Sep 2011
13070 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:40 am to
Like you're an a-hole who doesn't think people know what a word means.
Posted by Slagathor
Makin' jokes about your teeny tiny
Member since Jul 2007
37811 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:40 am to
Always speak at the level of your audience, so never both
Posted by Jimmy2shoes
The South
Member since Mar 2014
11004 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:41 am to
throw in a couple of "vis-à-vis" in your sentence to really come off as brilliant or "big word smart"
Posted by Pectus
Internet
Member since Apr 2010
67302 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:41 am to
quote:

you refer to a word that is not common in most people's vocabulary as a big word, please refrain from using "big" words.


How do you communicate using esoteric language at work then? So, specialized language.
This post was edited on 10/4/17 at 8:50 am
Posted by OweO
Plaquemine, La
Member since Sep 2009
113972 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:42 am to
I received an award that was fait accompli instead of saying I achieved fait accompli?
Posted by StringedInstruments
Member since Oct 2013
18419 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:42 am to
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.
Posted by skrayper
21-0 Asterisk Drive
Member since Nov 2012
30898 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:42 am to
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.
Posted by Cdawg
TigerFred's Living Room
Member since Sep 2003
59532 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:42 am to
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 by TH03
Mogadishu
Member since Dec 2008
171037 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:43 am to
quote:

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


Speaking of people who try to act superior and look like a douche.

It's clear what he meant by big, you're just being a douche.
Posted by rondo
Worst. Poster. Evar.
Member since Jan 2004
77411 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:43 am to
irregular is a big word to you?
Posted by LZ83
La
Member since Sep 2016
17406 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:46 am to
When people use "big" words around me, I like to make of them and say yeah and use the more common term.

Exp. someone says that dress is volumptious, and I say yeah the SOB was big too.
Posted by LCA131
Home of the Fake Sig lines
Member since Feb 2008
72602 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:46 am to
quote:

Always speak at the level of your audience, so never both


Well, if there are chicks in the room I just go with one syllable words.


Posted by rondo
Worst. Poster. Evar.
Member since Jan 2004
77411 posts
Posted on 10/4/17 at 8:48 am to
quote:

volumptious





know how I know you're a hick?
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