what do you think of people who often use big words while speaking? is it impressive or irritating?

do you have a rich and varied vocabulary?

whistle said:

oh, you don't mean they get paid to use big words

it's extremely irritating to hear people trying to impress with big words, and getting the word wrong

I have been made fun of at various times of my life for using "big" words.

I will say, I do enjoy learning and using new words. Language is probably my favorite art form. But I don't think I use big words in a pretentious way. And it doesn't seem that often to me either.

ZombieKitten said:

I always get the wrong word... and I don't even use big words.

I'm not bothered by the use of big words. I sometimes slip in obscure/less-used words. They are often 4/5 letters. Can't think of an example right now, sorry.

I do dislike it when et cetera is used vocally. And spelled ect.





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[Edited 1/12/10 5:31am]

I know about 5 big words. And I use those as much as possible.

I'm currently trying to squeeze my current fave repository into my conversation, but it's proving difficult.

People keep wondering why I'm always asking them about their storage needs....

i'm upset that the most sophisticated words i use frequently are 'erectile dysfunction'.

Word trends annoy me. Suddenly everyone is using this one word that they heard in the news or another mainstream source like they have some sort of superiority over the English language than others. Typically they are using the word wrong.

also people who say irregardless make me want to stab them.
[Edited 1/12/10 6:22am]

Language to me is like a style of dress: Certain situations call for certain adornment, and underdressing, overdressing or wearing the wrong drag altogether can be quite off-putting... even disrespectful.

If I'm sitting around with peers having some highbrow theological conversation, for example, then yeah, I expect 20-syllable words from long-dead languages to get thrown around. (And even then there's a point at which the exchange becomes one big circle jerk. ) If I'm having that chat with, say, some street kids, I assume their comparable intelligence -- but within their culture. So when I start breaking out crap with them like, "The ineffable Triune, across excogitational, reconciliatory and consummational hypostases, effects supererogational concern for humanity as imago dei -- even in the face of theodicy -- and beckons it to abide in perichoretic sanctification unto the eschaton," I need to be slapped... hard. I think stuff like that is akin to profanity.
[Edited 1/12/10 7:39am]

Lammastide said:

indubitably...

Cuddles said:

http://www.urbandictionar...regardless

Lammastide said:

Co-sign. Language should be used like a tool in a communication, not as a means to make yourself seem more important or above your peers. On the other hand, certain situations require certain words and grammar. I used to say this to someone who constantly uses what he thinks is "AfroAmerican slang" to come across as more authentic and "down" with the English language ( he´s a Polish teenager born and raised in Germany, by the way, and he adores Tupac and Wu-Tang and Ludacris).

What was that Prince album again that used all those weird words with X ? Can´t remember off the top of my head even though I own it. I bet he had to look up most of those words first.

Cinnie said:

The best was when *I* was corrected. "Don't you mean irregardless???"

Cinnie said:

I like the context of the second definition better.
It really bothers me because my pompous partner uses it ALL the time. I cringe knowing that he is saying this when he is trying to school his peers at work. He manages an entire plant. Yeah most are likely dumb fucks who likely would have a clue. But you know that there is a clique of persons who do know and are laughing at his expense. It certainly is a revealing sign.

I hear so many catchphrases-of-the-day in business that it makes me want to run it up the flagpole, brainstorm and freewheel it, guard against the layering effect, and manage my synergy to see if we're going to swing to a profit, or if it is what it is.

Sorry.

Cuddles said:

My best friend uses it and I tried to give him the heads-up, and explained it, but he still uses it!!

I admire when people can use a better word than the regular low level syntax the majority of the population would be inclined to utilize. If they person is over doing it, then it's a bit goofy. However, if the person just has a better, or more enhanced and/or broader, vocabulary, then so be it.

The people who do use bigger words beyond "sup" or "whatevs" most likely do it because it's just how they speak. Remember your English teacher using (most times) great sentence structure and, every once in a while, shiny new words that you had never heard of before? I loved that. My sophomore teacher, Rita Phillips, was a true wordsmith and loved words, and reading. How I ever got through reading Lord of the Flies and 1984 at age 15 is solely due to her enthusiasm for books; that enthusiasm rubbed off.

It's even funny to me that a word like "shat" is being used again. Most times it's in pure humor, but the fact that some old word like that is being circulated again is hysterical, and I love it.

America has suffered a dumbing-down in the past ten years, and I blame the internet and texting for that. I remember the first time I saw "lol" on a screen, and had no idea what is meant. Although internetese is a whole other language, I personally think it should be kept separate from English. I love words, and although I trip every now and again, I love great writing, even if it's people taking time to write something well on a public forum or message board.

My million dollar words? Hmmm, not sure. Ironically, I use "verbose" a lot. HA!

wildgoldenhoney said:

Depends on the context and conversation. Sometimes big words are useful and impressive and other times it's just a waste of breath.