Thread: Damn esoteric words.

Were you trying to sound intelligent by using ten dollar words? If you have a point there.. it only applies to how intelligent and wide the reader's vocaublary is.

So, stop using ten dollar words to sound smart.

or...

Cease forming higher standard text in order to appear on a superior intelligent level.

See how annoying that is to read?

Originally Posted by AmazeO XD

Were you trying to sound intelligent by using ten dollar words? If you have a point there.. it only applies to how intelligent and wide the reader's vocaublary is.

So, stop using ten dollar words to sound smart.

or...

Cease forming higher standard text in order to appear on a superior intelligent level.

See how annoying that is to read?

Maybe I should use four letter words instead =P.

Um that was the point derp. I was using words that not everyone already knows to show how much I dislike not knowing words. It was me being subtle. If you'll notice I don't often use large a large variety of little known words outside of this thread! Well without explaining them first. What an extraneous statement you have made by pointing out the obvious.

I don't see how wordses make you soundses vury "smart" anyway. Isn't judging someone by their vocabulary a bit pedantic? Of course using a large vocabulary might be a tad pedantic too.

I judge people by their vocabulary.

That isn't very fair...lol.

What's wrong with improving your vocabulary?

Originally Posted by skysaw

What's wrong with improving your vocabulary?

Nothing, I just don't like putting effort into things!

The difference between learning new words in story books and learning new words in informative books is that one provides the ability to learn the word while reading the book via context clues, and the other leaves you having to go get a dictionary or type some letters into the internets.

Originally Posted by Sandform

I seriously hate reading books these days. The reason being I have ceased reading story books and moved on to informational books as my form of recreational activity...the problem is that in these kinds of books there aren't exactly a full variety of context clues to figure words out! That pisses me off I have to look stuff up every 20 pages or so. I hate being subjected to another person's parochial set of words I don't understand! Too bad if I want to learn I have to read it! I understand most of the words but there are a narrow amount of words I don't know in these texts and it saddens me that my vocabulary isn't as inclusive as I would like.

But if you keep reading them, your vocab will improve. So its all up from here. If you stop, things will regress, and the non-fiction readin will piss you off even more. There seems to be only one choice in my opinion.

Originally Posted by AmazeO XD

Were you trying to sound intelligent by using ten dollar words? If you have a point there.. it only applies to how intelligent and wide the reader's vocaublary is.

So, stop using ten dollar words to sound smart.

or...

Cease forming higher standard text in order to appear on a superior intelligent level.

See how annoying that is to read?

The second sentence there is both easier to read and quicker to understand. That is, if you hadn't mangled the words and syntax.

First off, I firmly believe that kids who read more when they're younger will be more apt to develop a more powerful vernacular. Read more books by authors who don't cater to a 6th grade reading level. Granted those books may be enjoyable and have great storylines, but it's prudent to venture into other areas of literature which will afford one the chance to learn more.

There are even books out in the world that can help you improve your vocabulary (I almost said vernacular again; I love that word). I worked through "A Better Vocabulary in 30 Days" which my dad just had laying around from who knows how long ago. I'd say I knew about half the words, but they take about 10-20 words a day and you go through exercises. For people like me who love words, it's actually quite fun!

To be honest, I use certain words because it's exactly the word that best conveys my thoughts. I do get annoyed when I can tell that someone's using a big word to just sound smart rather than having a clear understanding of what the word means and in which context is the best to use it.

I agree, if the word doesn't accurately describe what your saying then you shouldn't use it. I used a few words up top to stress a point, but beyond that I think I tried my best to keep any less known words to their necessary stand points. For example the title =).

Originally Posted by Amethyst Star

First off, I firmly believe that kids who read more when they're younger will be more apt to develop a more powerful vernacular.

I agree with your sentiment, but I don't think "vernacular" is used properly here. It is not a direct synonym for "vocabulary." When used as a noun, it more commonly means:

The plain variety of language in everyday use by ordinary people; or
The language or vocabulary peculiar to a class or profession

Developing a more powerful vocabulary moves you beyond the boundary of the common vernacular, it does not make "a more powerful vernacular."

Not trying to nitpick you to death, but since you seem to enjoy vocabulary-building, I thought you might like to know.

How astute.

I really want to jump in and add a word that is odd into the conversation but then I would just end up saying something capricious and use the word incorrectly.

Your facetious treatment of this thread is unbecoming,Sandform.

And since there's really no context, but I just love the word, I'm going to just state it: recalcitrant.

One of my favorite "fancy" words is specificity. I've actually found it necessary to use on a number of occasions.

>< I hate looking words up, I just like using context clues. So when there are none, Dorpis gets mad.

Originally Posted by dorpis

>< I hate looking words up, I just like using context clues. So when there are none, Dorpis gets mad.

The problem with relying on context is that it can suggest multiple meanings, and you may assimilate one that is incorrect.

Big words always gets me and mostly because english is a second language. I seem to hear them often and I alway thought maybe that person was just Hyperarticulate, I think there is a defined amount of respect for someone who has a vast vocabulary, however there is a place and time for those as you guys may say "$10.00" words. Here's something you guys may appreciate.


sesquipedalian, adjective:
1. Given to or characterized by the use of long words.
2. Long and ponderous; having many syllables


macroverbumsciolist[/FONT]
1. a person who is ignorant of large words
2. a person who pretends to know a word, then secretly refers to a dictionary <---- this one is me.. haha!

grandiloquent
pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, esp. in a way that is intended to impress

fustian
pompous or pretentious speech or writing

Originally Posted by skysaw

The problem with relying on context is that it can suggest multiple meanings, and you may assimilate one that is incorrect.

Like fuck.

Originally Posted by Switch

macroverbumsciolist
1. a person who is ignorant of large words
2. a person who pretends to know a word, then secretly refers to a dictionary <---- this one is me.. haha!

*Writes that down on her whiteboard at work*

I feel kind of like a dork now. The only word I thought sounded out of place in the original post was "parochial." I had no clue the post was written that way on purpose! o_o;;

Then again, I use words like "constitute" and "acclimate" and, yes, "extraneous" in everyday speech so...

Looking at all the borderline literate and illiterate people out there roaming the internet's messaging utilities, I'd say it's enough to use the correct punctuation, capitalize appropriately and write in complete sentences.

Originally Posted by Black_Eagle

Looking at all the borderline literate and illiterate people out there roaming the internet's messaging utilities, I'd say it's enough to use the correct punctuation, capitalize appropriately and write in complete sentences.

I'd say "bare minimum." I have this irrational fear that someday I'll be 40 years old and hear people of my generation saying "lulz" in civilized conversation... *shudders*

Indubitably.

Originally Posted by Amethyst Star

I'd say "bare minimum." I have this irrational fear that someday I'll be 40 years old and hear people of my generation saying "lulz" in civilized conversation... *shudders*

I actually do use "lulz" when conversing with my friends, however, I do not use "think" instead of "thing" and "haitch" instead of "aitch". I am very perticular with things like this, it also being a joke I share with my parents.

As long as people capitalize their "I"s and never ever use "u" instead of "you" I am happy. Poor spellings doesn't bother me too much - since meh no gud at speelings - just as long as people use the right hynonyms - such as "their", "there", they're" and "your", "you're" - in the right situations.