Why do some of you among us speak with what I call "Five dollar words"? By throwing out those fancy words, does that make you feel superior to others without the vocabulary you have aquired? Just curious is all.
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Why do some of you among us speak with what I call "Five dollar words"? By throwing out those fancy words, does that make you feel superior to others without the vocabulary you have aquired? Just curious is all.
"five dollar" or "four letter", one needs to communicate effectively with the audience being addressed.
probably only two or maybe three guys on here that could use the "five dollar words" effectively and that is probably because of their upbringing and level of education and just plain being witty...trying to use big words when you dont know when to use them or what they mean is laughable...even worse is when you cant spell them correctly
Better watch out. That turn of phrase sounds a bit upper-crusty!
Having an extensive vocabulary can often allow one to be more precise. Red is a color, but crimson carries more information, as do vermilion and maroon. The same can be true of many other words. "Peregrinations" is more interesting than "travels", and "perambulate" more precise than "walk". There was a time when the ability to write well was actually admired. Personally I have always loved words (call me a logophile if you wish). I actually delight in encountering words with which I am unfamiliar. One of the things I really miss now that I mostly use the built in dictionary on the computer instead of a print dictionary is the opportunity stumble across new words while looking up the spelling or meaning of a word I already know. I read some word one the other day which I thought was very cool, and now I can't remember what it was or where I saw it. Leaves me somewhat peeved. I also admire correct grammar and good construct and detest the opposite.
My spelling is really pretty abysmal, so I keep spell check on all the time and also sometimes double check with the dictionary. I think that some of the tendency to stretch (vocabularily speaking) comes from what one reads, and what writers one admires. Ed Zern and Patrick McManus often had a very nice turn of phrase, as did Havilah Babcock. Hemingway was no slouch either.
Having a vocabulary allows one to accuse someone of suffering from logorrhea, which is much more elegant than "diarrhea of the mouth" a particularly unpleasant expression.
I prefer someone say what they mean and mean what they say, unfortunately on these forums that is not always possible....and then there are those whose narrative is nothing but condescending and frankly a waste of time...but as they say Bless their Heart
Doesn't take big words to be condescending (does makes it easier though ;-) )
I have said from forever RTF is a group of us standing at the tail gate of the pick up after runnin' our dogs.
I type just as if I was talking to you. I can say for sure I have never typed something I would not say to somebodys face.
Only better thing is here I can spell wrong to add humor now and again. I also very much enjoy words. Again back to grade school spelling and vocab lists. I will both talk, and type in the words my Grandfather and Grandmother used as I lived with them from '68 to '79. I used to think of myself the the worlds youngest depresion era baby. I like words like bill fold and trousers and foot feed (thats a gas pedal kids)
Murral, could you give some examples of these $5 words please?