Tuesday, August 3, 2010

I loathe it when people use big words in an attempt to make themselves look intelligent while at the same time probably making others feel inadequate or stupid. 

I was scrolling through a blog earlier tonight and the writer used big, ridiculous words at every turn of  phrase.  Many people would not be able to comprehend what the hell she was talking about.  Many people would just skip it altogether thinking it pompous. 

I am not against big words per se, I love words and sometimes a big, over the top word is appropriate; sometimes a big, beautiful word just fits.  I simply feel that in day to day life, conversation, communication, common / simple words are better.  I like plain speak.  I find it preferable to be direct. I find it preferable to know that the person I am talking to knows what the hell I am talking about, and doesn't walk away blank-eyed scratching their head.  I think I tend to show my intelligence through the way I phrase things rather than via the use of redonkulous* words.
 

I hate it when people say "he was just being facetious", when in fact, they could just say, "he's joking", or "he's just being a jackass".  Facetious is a word I just plain hate.

So just stop it.  When future generations or aliens try to make sense of us and our times I'd like them to be able to make sense of it all, after all someone should. 



*The title of this entry
a foot and a half long, hence inordinately long
relates to the translation of sesquipedalian, which is a stupid long word to describe stupid long words and the people who use them.
ses-kwuh-puh-DAYL-yuhn \  , adjective;
1. Given to or characterized by the use of long words.
2. Long and ponderous; having many syllables.
noun:
1. A long word.


**totally in the "dictionary", therefore perfectly acceptable

1 comments:

Unknown said...

I know what you mean, I consider myself fairly intelligent but if I need to hit up a dictionary more than a couple times I will stop reading whatever it is. I do like to learn a new word here and there (and if I don't know what something means I just HAVE to look it up) but unless it is a non fiction book where it is appropriate, then large words are just pretentious.