NationStates Jolt Archive

I notice that a lot of times on NSG here, people have a tendency to use big words, even if they have no need to do so. Why do we use big words? Is it to seem more intelligent? Is it to make the other person seem stupider? Really, why do we use big words so much?

Because people want to look important so it appears they know what they're talking about even when they're blowing out their ass.

I notice that a lot of times on NSG here, people have a tendency to use big words, even if they have no need to do so. Why do we use big words? Is it to seem more intelligent? Is it to make the other person seem stupider? Really, why do we use big words so much?

It is not necessarily about the big words themselves. A lot of us enjoy being accurate, which is important in debate especially on a forum like this were a mistake in getting your view point across can lead to a page hijack at least.

Finding uselessly long synonyms is silly but I have not really noticed people doing that around here. Just being accurate.

I like big words. Must be cause I'm big myself. :D

*waits for 1st post using all long words*

It is not necessarily about the big words themselves. A lot of us enjoy being accurate, which is important in debate especially on a forum like this were a mistake in getting your view point across can lead to a page hijack at least.


You've beaten me to it.

I notice that a lot of times on NSG here, people have a tendency to use big words, even if they have no need to do so. Why do we use big words? Is it to seem more intelligent? Is it to make the other person seem stupider? Really, why do we use big words so much?
Penis envy. (By which I mean, in most cases, size of).

*waits for 1st post using all long words*



"Don't Use Big Words!

Next time, in promulgating your esoteric cogitations, or articulating your superficial sentimentalities and amicable, philosophical or psychological observations, beware of platitudinous ponderosity. Let your conversational communications possess a clarified conciseness, a compacted comprehensibleness, coalescent consistency, and a concatenated cogency. Eschew all conglomerations of flatulent garrulity, jejune babblement, and asinine affectations.

Let your extemporaneous descantings and unpremeditated expatiations have intelligibility and veracious vivacity, without rodomontade or thrasonical bombast. Sedulously avoid all polysyllabic profundity, pompous prolixity, psittaceous vacuity ventriloquial verbosity, and vaniloquent vapidity. Shun double-entendres, prurient jocosity, and pestiferous profanity, obscurant or apparent!!

** ** In other words, talk plainly, briefly, naturally, sensibly, truthfully, purely. Keep from slang; don't put on airs; say what you mean; mean what you say. And, don't use big words!" "

"Don't Use Big Words!

Next time, in promulgating your esoteric cogitations, or articulating your superficial sentimentalities and amicable, philosophical or psychological observations, beware of platitudinous ponderosity. Let your conversational communications possess a clarified conciseness, a compacted comprehensibleness, coalescent consistency, and a concatenated cogency. Eschew all conglomerations of flatulent garrulity, jejune babblement, and asinine affectations.

Let your extemporaneous descantings and unpremeditated expatiations have intelligibility and veracious vivacity, without rodomontade or thrasonical bombast. Sedulously avoid all polysyllabic profundity, pompous prolixity, psittaceous vacuity ventriloquial verbosity, and vaniloquent vapidity. Shun double-entendres, prurient jocosity, and pestiferous profanity, obscurant or apparent!!

** ** In other words, talk plainly, briefly, naturally, sensibly, truthfully, purely. Keep from slang; don't put on airs; say what you mean; mean what you say. And, don't use big words!" "

*Defenestrates you*

*Defenestrates you*

I hope it is low to the ground :p

"Don't Use Big Words!

Next time, in promulgating your esoteric cogitations, or articulating your superficial sentimentalities and amicable, philosophical or psychological observations, beware of platitudinous ponderosity. Let your conversational communications possess a clarified conciseness, a compacted comprehensibleness, coalescent consistency, and a concatenated cogency. Eschew all conglomerations of flatulent garrulity, jejune babblement, and asinine affectations.

Let your extemporaneous descantings and unpremeditated expatiations have intelligibility and veracious vivacity, without rodomontade or thrasonical bombast. Sedulously avoid all polysyllabic profundity, pompous prolixity, psittaceous vacuity ventriloquial verbosity, and vaniloquent vapidity. Shun double-entendres, prurient jocosity, and pestiferous profanity, obscurant or apparent!!"

You've forgotten a comma between "vacuity" and "ventriloquial". :p

You've forgotten a comma between "vacuity" and "ventriloquial". :p

Lol the originator did (just noticed I quoted but did not post the link) I will have to re-dig it up as I closed the link.

I notice that a lot of times on NSG here, people have a tendency to use big words, even if they have no need to do so. Why do we use big words? Is it to seem more intelligent? Is it to make the other person seem stupider? Really, why do we use big words so much?

that's just how i write for the most part. i talk normally but i guess i got very used to writing essays, etc, and just snap back into big-word, essay-mode when writing something vaguely serious.


though it depends on what you mean by "big words"... are we talking good vocabulary here, or over-fancy words with little point?

I notice that a lot of times on NSG here, people have a tendency to use big words, even if they have no need to do so. Why do we use big words? Is it to seem more intelligent? Is it to make the other person seem stupider? Really, why do we use big words so much?

I often appear to use a sophisticated jargon in english because I'm italian, and most sophisticated words in english are derived directly from latin or french. So it's easier for me to use them!

*Defenestrates you*

Well played! :D

It is not necessarily about the big words themselves. A lot of us enjoy being accurate, which is important in debate especially on a forum like this were a mistake in getting your view point across can lead to a page hijack at least.

Finding uselessly long synonyms is silly but I have not really noticed people doing that around here. Just being accurate.

Exactly. I do notice the occasionaly person doing it, but they are rare and don't really appear to be taken seriously.

Because pretentious sesquipedalianism is fun!

Because big words are fun to say.

Why settle for just saying large when you can say "Superginourmous!"

I notice that a lot of times on NSG here, people have a tendency to use big words, even if they have no need to do so. Why do we use big words? Is it to seem more intelligent? Is it to make the other person seem stupider? Really, why do we use big words so much?

You know the reason. To show off how smart they are. By using big words they prove that are better than you. Why do you think snobby academics often lecture using complicated vocabulary. They are showing off and if you don't understand then you don't deserve to breath the same air with such an intelligent individual.

Why do you think snobby academics often lecture using complicated vocabulary. They are showing off and if you don't understand then you don't deserve to breath the same air with such an intelligent individual.

Did you ever, possibly, think that longer words might be used because they're the most accurate ones for the specific situation? A lot of commonly uzsed words are commonly used precisely because they're general, and academics are actually employed specifics.
And maybe, if you don't understand... you should study more. Boo hoo.

Did you ever, possibly, think that longer words might be used because they're the most accurate ones for the specific situation?

Absolutely not. The English language is so large that there are plenty of words that will be understandable by anyone familiar with the language. Some people though just enjoy showing off their extended vocabulary.

Seems a shame to have such a vast and varied language and to restrict yourself to using only the most common of terms.

Absolutely not. The English language is so large that there are plenty of words that will be understandable by anyone familiar with the language. Some people though just enjoy showing off their extended vocabulary.

Or: "I don't understand them so they must be being pretentious wankers."

You've forgotten a comma between "vacuity" and "ventriloquial". :p
A body of persons abiding in a domicile of silica with metallic oxides should not carelessly project small geologic specimens.

I only use big words if the situation calls for them. I mean, you simply can't discuss things like energy or the economy properly without using technical terms.

"Don't Use Big Words!

Next time, in promulgating your esoteric cogitations, or articulating your superficial sentimentalities and amicable, philosophical or psychological observations, beware of platitudinous ponderosity. Let your conversational communications possess a clarified conciseness, a compacted comprehensibleness, coalescent consistency, and a concatenated cogency. Eschew all conglomerations of flatulent garrulity, jejune babblement, and asinine affectations.

Let your extemporaneous descantings and unpremeditated expatiations have intelligibility and veracious vivacity, without rodomontade or thrasonical bombast. Sedulously avoid all polysyllabic profundity, pompous prolixity, psittaceous vacuity ventriloquial verbosity, and vaniloquent vapidity. Shun double-entendres, prurient jocosity, and pestiferous profanity, obscurant or apparent!!

** ** In other words, talk plainly, briefly, naturally, sensibly, truthfully, purely. Keep from slang; don't put on airs; say what you mean; mean what you say. And, don't use big words!" "

Makes me want to hunt for the text of V's opening speech in "V for Vendetta"...

Did you ever, possibly, think that longer words might be used because they're the most accurate ones for the specific situation? A lot of commonly uzsed words are commonly used precisely because they're general, and academics are actually employed specifics.
And maybe, if you don't understand... you should study more. Boo hoo.

Actually, linguists often think that academics misuse the language. Many academics I know specifically look for words to make their arguments SEEM less simplistic. It's a fairly common practice. I work at a company (for a week more at least) where a lot of people with high level degrees ask me to edit their work. It's a fairly common concern that when I'm finished that they are concerned I've made their argument too clear.

Some writing is done to impress people. Some writing is done for clarity. Some is done for both. The first and the last often breed the use of longer words when shorter ones will suffice (when you are trying to impress highly educated people). Academics are only rarely writing to the second one.

However, I don't see that being as big of a problem on NS. Most people are trying to impress the masses of people on NS who while they may be more intelligent than the general masses are not going to be very impressed by an overused vocabulary.

Or: "I don't understand them so they must be being pretentious wankers."

Pretentious. That's the word I was looking for. Describes those jerks perfectly. And not a "big" word.

Pretentious. :)

Absolutely not. The English language is so large that there are plenty of words that will be understandable by anyone familiar with the language. Some people though just enjoy showing off their extended vocabulary.

What? You're just saying that there are so many English words that it should be possible to only use a few of them?

Absolutely not. The English language is so large that there are plenty of words that will be understandable by anyone familiar with the language. Some people though just enjoy showing off their extended vocabulary.

But... why wite a paragraph describing something that is already concisely packaged in one word?

Makes me want to hunt for the text of V's opening speech in "V for Vendetta"...

That scene was brilliant.

Makes me want to hunt for the text of V's opening speech in "V for Vendetta"...

Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honour to meet you and you may call me V.

hehehe

hehehe

Dammit, beat me to it.

But, I do have this :D

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/142559/v_speech_from_vendetta/

10 points!

But... why wite a paragraph describing something that is already concisely packaged in one word?

Yes, exactly *so says a guy that is almost always too wordy*

That scene was brilliant.

The whole movie was sex-on-legs. But, yes, even in such elevated company, that scene is outstanding.

hehehe

*sigh*

Godlike. Many thanks. :)

I notice that a lot of times on NSG here, people have a tendency to use big words, even if they have no need to do so. Why do we use big words? Is it to seem more intelligent? Is it to make the other person seem stupider? Really, why do we use big words so much?

When I write, I tend to write as though I'm speaking aloud. If I make use of 'big' words when I write, it's mostly due to the fact that I'll use those same words when speaking. I'm neither trying to appear excessively erudite, nor attempting to make others appear somehow inadequate. I'm simply communicating - though I'll freely admit, I do - and will - usually assume that others possess a vocabulary at least as extensive as my own.

The whole movie was sex-on-legs. But, yes, even in such elevated company, that scene is outstanding.

Cathy and I rewound that scene a half dozen times. It was a great movie, but that scene was delivered perfectly. His pronunciation, his timing, his stressing of the words showed he truly understood what he was saying, why he was saying it and how beautiful it could be when delivered right. It was like watching a materpiece paint itself, since even the artist was a part of the art. Sex-on-legs is an apt way to describe it and that scene was the big O.

Why use hippopotomonstrosesquipidelian words? Well, when I was prenatal, I oppsed antidisestablishmentarianism. I found it atrocious, abhorrent, and doubleplusungood (oh, sorry, my Newspeak-to-English translator went wonky.) Seriously, though, big words are OK. In moderation. Putting together a sentence with about ten huge words makes my brain hurt. Chucking in a couple of them is fine.

Cathy and I rewound that scene a half dozen times. It was a great movie, but that scene was delivered perfectly. His pronunciation, his timing, his stressing of the words showed he truly understood what he was saying, why he was saying it and how beautiful it could be when delivered right. It was like watching a materpiece paint itself, since even the artist was a part of the art. Sex-on-legs is an apt way to describe it and that scene was the big O.

For the second time, ever, I am lost for words.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

I use 'big words' when they are the most correct words for what I intend to say.

I am accustomed to speaking that way, and especially to reading things written that way.

I use 'big words' when they are the most correct words for what I intend to say.

I am accustomed to speaking that way, and especially to reading things written that way.

Exactly. We seem to be seeing a movement towards 'dumbing down for the proles'... which implies that MOST people can't handle big words.

Scary really, when you look back a few centuries, and see that the commonalty achieved enjoyment from the works of Shakespeare... now considered something of a 'highbrow' pursuit...

I notice that a lot of times on NSG here, people have a tendency to use big words, even if they have no need to do so. Why do we use big words? Is it to seem more intelligent? Is it to make the other person seem stupider? Really, why do we use big words so much?

I only use 'big words' when it's the most effective way to express myself.

Some times one of those 'big words' expresses the idea or feeling I'm trying to convey more effectively. It's not because I'm trying to demean any one. I'm just a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to expression, I'm always looking for the best way (or the best words) to express myself.

www.dictionary.com is your friend

Why does anyone even care. :rolleyes:

Speak and write as you will, I wont judge you for it. If you dont understand what someone says or writes (or types for that matter) then just ask or (if you dont want them to know you dont know) pick up a dictionary - or google one for that matter...

Exactly. We seem to be seeing a movement towards 'dumbing down for the proles'... which implies that MOST people can't handle big words.

Scary really, when you look back a few centuries, and see that the commonalty achieved enjoyment from the works of Shakespeare... now considered something of a 'highbrow' pursuit...

To be fair while I think there is some “dumbing” down I agree, some of the loss of popularity and its being considered “high brow” is simply because of its move out contemporary works

A few century’s ago this was relatively contemporary, as things move out of the public eye they tend to gain a more of a high brow “cult” following

Absolutely not. The English language is so large that there are plenty of words that will be understandable by anyone familiar with the language. Some people though just enjoy showing off their extended vocabulary.
That the English language is so large allows us tremendous precision on very nearly any topic, something many other languages cannot offer.

A debate may hinge on an incredibly fine distinction, one possibly even unnoticed by those involved until the debate is had. Without precise use of language, that distinction could be lost forever.

To be fair while I think there is some “dumbing” down I agree, some of the loss of popularity and its being considered “high brow” is simply because of its move out contemporary works

A few century’s ago this was relatively contemporary, as things move out of the public eye they tend to gain a more of a high brow “cult” following

Can't wait till that happens to The Big Lebowski.

Cathy and I rewound that scene a half dozen times. It was a great movie, but that scene was delivered perfectly. His pronunciation, his timing, his stressing of the words showed he truly understood what he was saying, why he was saying it and how beautiful it could be when delivered right. It was like watching a materpiece paint itself, since even the artist was a part of the art. Sex-on-legs is an apt way to describe it and that scene was the big O.

*genulates*

I notice that a lot of times on NSG here, people have a tendency to use big words, even if they have no need to do so. Why do we use big words? Is it to seem more intelligent? Is it to make the other person seem stupider? Really, why do we use big words so much?

Personally, I don't consider the words I use to be "big". They are simply the words that convey the meaning I desire. That may require the less educated to consult a dictionary, but with dictionaries being online nowadays, that's hardly alienating - on the contrary, it's educating - I use them whenever I see I word I don't recognise or understand.

*Defenestrates you*

:eek: That's one of my favorite words, along with "cadaverous" and "thrice"!

Like many people here already have said, mostly for accuracy. Plus, it's fun, and sometimes what some people consider a "big word" is an average word to others. For example, when I was in middle school, some kids didn't know what "resource" meant, and when I was in sixth grade, I had to explain what "provoke" meant to someone in my English class. I thought it was pretty sad.:(

But... why wite a paragraph describing something that is already concisely packaged in one word?
One of the best proponents of concise writing is Jack Vance. He can describe something or someone perfectly with just a few carefully chosen words.
You may need a theasaurus or dictionary beside you when reading his stuff, but it's worth it.

Unlike a hack writer like Robert Jordan, for eg, who feels the need to spend a page and 1/2 on describing each and every bloody furntiture item in every room his characters walk through. Vance would sum it up it a sentence - yet evoke better and grander images than any amount of waffle Jordan outs to paper.

Oh dear.

The fecal material has well and truly impacted against the rotary oscillator here, hasn't it?

Oh dear.

The fecal material has well and truly impacted against the rotary oscillator here, hasn't it?

Has it? Guess I've been living in that fecal material so long I didn't notice. ;)

Oh dear.

The fecal material has well and truly impacted against the rotary oscillator here, hasn't it?

It would also seem that Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

Some people use big words in order to convey precision in language. Some use them in order to display their vocabulary. Others like to masturbate large words into sentences, even if they don't know what they mean.

Seems a shame to have such a vast and varied language and to restrict yourself to using only the most common of terms.

Actually, english vocabulary doesn't seem so rich, vast and varied to me... For example, german language is richer in words, and more accurate.

Actually, english vocabulary doesn't seem so rich, vast and varied to me... For example, german language is richer in words, and more accurate.

That's because it's very easy to make new words in German. In English, not so much.

One of the best proponents of concise writing is Jack Vance. He can describe something or someone perfectly with just a few carefully chosen words.
You may need a theasaurus or dictionary beside you when reading his stuff, but it's worth it.

Unlike a hack writer like Robert Jordan, for eg, who feels the need to spend a page and 1/2 on describing each and every bloody furntiture item in every room his characters walk through. Vance would sum it up it a sentence - yet evoke better and grander images than any amount of waffle Jordan outs to paper.

My EXACT complaint about Jordan... it is possible to be FAR too 'wordy' in your descriptions. I only WISH it was only a page and a half...

Oh - and he consistently adds to many 'new' characters that he forgets about two books down the line.

Oh - AND he completely fails to resolve any of his storylines...

Actually, english vocabulary doesn't seem so rich, vast and varied to me... For example, german language is richer in words, and more accurate.

German doesn't have nearly as many words as English. This is just factually inaccurate.

Scary really, when you look back a few centuries, and see that the commonalty achieved enjoyment from the works of Shakespeare... now considered something of a 'highbrow' pursuit...
That's because the only people who still read Shakespeare are pretentious tits who really have no idea what any of the characters are talking about.
Could anyone who really understood this little exchange,
Samp. 'Tis all one. I will show myself a tyrant. When I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the maids- I will cut off their heads.
Greg. The heads of the maids?
Samp. Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads. Take it in what sense thou wilt.
Greg. They must take it in sense that feel it.
Samp. Me they shall feel while I am able to stand; and 'tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh.
Honestly view it as art? At best, it is an example of the the sort of groan inducing puns, sex jokes, and macho-man ego-wanking that makes up the dialogue of a B-grade action movie.

So, yeah, people really do have more respect for you if you use lots of anachronism and obscure language, which is only natural when you consider that most English Teacher's concept of "modern" fiction is Hemingway's whining, pointless stories about World War I ambulance drivers.

Ooooo... I used "predilection"..!!

I don't even know what that MEANS..!!

It's a type of cheese.

*straightface*

I notice that a lot of times on NSG here, people have a tendency to use big words, even if they have no need to do so. Why do we use big words? Is it to seem more intelligent? Is it to make the other person seem stupider? Really, why do we use big words so much?

1) they dont. except for threads like this which beg people to use obscure words, i dont recall ever having a problem with anyone using big words for their own sake. you probably need to read more.

2) big words are more precise.

3) one can make an assumption on a forum like this that if you use a big word, everyone will understand it. its nice to feel free to use better words for a change

4) we have quite a few people for whom english is not their first language (whose english is so excellent that i have to remind myself that they didnt grow up with it). its easier to deal with one big word than a bunch of smaller words when you need to look something up in the dictionary

It's always funny to me when I see people describe English as "A" language.

It's a mongrel polyglot masquerading as "A" language.

..of course you could say that of just about any language, but English is a particularly good instance of this weird predilection.

Ooooo... I used "predilection"..!!

I don't even know what that MEANS..!!

Oh, come on, where's your siren... I mean signature?

To put up the facade that we are intelligent.;)

I notice that a lot of times on NSG here, people have a tendency to use big words, even if they have no need to do so. Why do we use big words? Is it to seem more intelligent? Is it to make the other person seem stupider? Really, why do we use big words so much?

Precision and accuracy. *nods*

German doesn't have nearly as many words as English. This is just factually inaccurate.
German, though, does have a lot of potential for precision. Unlike heavily regulated languages like French or Italian, English and German grow unfettered.

German also constructs a lot of compound words on the fly, so they might not get counted in direct comparisons.