Someone just posted on their facebook a list of 'big words.' She was doing a reading for one of her classes, and announced that these were the words she had to look up. After about five items, she lamented 'Why don't people just say what they mean?'
I've heard that sort of lament before. My younger brother used to pull that when my father or I would use an obscure word. But I would argue that someone who uses a word like that is saying what they mean, especially when compared to someone who uses 'small' or 'common' words.
Don't get me wrong, 'simple' words have their place. I try to censor my vocab when talking to people who might not understand it, like children or my friends who speak English as a second (or even third) language, or even those who have reacted negatively to 'large' words before. But while I could say that the castle was nice or pretty or even grand, it doesn't carry the same weight (or even precise definition) as a word like opulent.
Anyhow, I guess I'm just whining. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? For bonus points, what are some words that you had to look up lately? Or how about favorite words?
The two that stumped me on my friend's list of six were ablution and triplicity. The others were ontology, superfluous, behoove, and affinity.
I've heard that sort of lament before. My younger brother used to pull that when my father or I would use an obscure word. But I would argue that someone who uses a word like that is saying what they mean, especially when compared to someone who uses 'small' or 'common' words.
Don't get me wrong, 'simple' words have their place. I try to censor my vocab when talking to people who might not understand it, like children or my friends who speak English as a second (or even third) language, or even those who have reacted negatively to 'large' words before. But while I could say that the castle was nice or pretty or even grand, it doesn't carry the same weight (or even precise definition) as a word like opulent.
Anyhow, I guess I'm just whining. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? For bonus points, what are some words that you had to look up lately? Or how about favorite words?
The two that stumped me on my friend's list of six were ablution and triplicity. The others were ontology, superfluous, behoove, and affinity.