"Why do you use those 4 million dollar words....

[SarahB]

when you could say everything a lot more simply?"

Would it bother you if someone were to say this? To me, it's like someone saying, "Don't be who you are and talk as you feel comfortable talking because it makes me insecure about myself." Just wondering.

[DrWeird]

1. Depends.

If somebody were giving me constructive criticism then I'd be fine. If somebody were telling me that because they were functionally illiterate, I'd tell them to fuck off.

[SarahB]

8. Neither.

The person, for example, can do calculus and I cannot, but my vocabulary is much better. It kind of doesn't matter at this point, but I suppose it was something ongoing that made me repress who I was as not to "offend". I wouldn't ask someone else to repress who they were. Expecting a person to not be who they are and to be ok with it isn't a good thing I guess.

Just thinking out loud I guess.

[Left Is Write]

2. Four million bucks?

I never get more than five bucks for my words.

I have had similar things said to me, as if my manner of speaking was akin to showing off. Said with that kind of tone, yes, it bothers me. If it's done in a teasing, offhand way, it probably wouldn't.

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Depends on how you are using the 4 million dollar words

Some use them to act superior, because their self-esteem demands that they use words that they know that lesser people won't understand.

Intelligent people who *don't* have psychological problems only use the 4 million dollar words when necessary, and insist on speaking and writing in a clear, understandable way.

I've known people in both groups. I find the first group to be almost intolerable to be around, and find them often to be less intelligent than the second group.

There's a time for speaking academese and in highly technical language. And there's a time for not doing it.

[SarahB]

13. I know what you're saying.

Anyone who knows me well, knows I'm not pretentious. It probably stems from just how my family was. There's this running family joke about my father who couldn't remember the word "spoon" once, but instead called it the "functional device to rotate the sugar". I just come from a long line of wordy people.

edit: ooops- egads, terrible grammar

[pityfriend]

4. One time I was at Taco Bell with friend

A guy came in and said, "Can you kids watch my vehicle?" My friend immediately replied, "It's a lot faster to say car."

[Zomby Woof]

5. Screw 'em!

Just one more manifestation of American anti-intelluctualism.

[SarahB]

14. What is up with that?

People have these weird notions about this in the US. As I grew older and gained more knowledge, I realized the rest of the world isn't like this. It's scary. Sure helps doofuses get selected though.

[loudestchick]

6. I get that kind of crap from my mother and sister all the time!

I love words! Maybe they should get a dictionary...grrr

[politicaholic]

7. But how else can I lord my superiority on other people?

I suggest you move this situation to a more convenient station before I am abliged to put on a pugelistic demonstration of my ability to horizontalize your perpendicularity!

Hmph!

[sendero]

10. Well..

... you sure aren't going to lord your superiority in spelling over anybody :)

[politicaholic]

17. Yeah,

I guess there is that little spell check button down there...but...I...just...can't...reach...

*thump*

[Rabrrrrrr]

16. pugelism is strictly declasse

Contemporary intelligentsia rightfully hurl fusillades of disapprobation on settling disputes in such primitive and mean mien.

[MADem]

22. Ah, but that film "Million Dollar Baby"

...when coupled with the viciousness of the current administration, may put the art of the glove back on the center canvas, so to speak!

[Amaya]

9. Don't worry about that crap, Sarah

it's bullshit.

Glad you made it home ok.
By the way, I had a great time Saturday night at the blues club :D

[SarahB]

15. It was fun!

Eclectic crowd and that damned cover, but the music was great! It only convinces me more, "I will never quite have a niche." That's ok though, as I am one in a bazillion. I think. :)

[Amaya]

18. It was cool standing next to Dick and his wife :o)

and the bikers dancing LOL!

You deserve the best Sarah, always. :yourock:

[SarahB]

19. You too!

I will never again repress who I am or how I feel to appease a man. Ever.

And yes, Dick and Lynne were rather interesting, but they looked happy together. It was cute. :D

[nini]

11. yep, they're insecure

speak however you want. It's not your fault they don't value education in their own lives.

morans!

[sendero]

12. I like using..

... words to their highest effectiveness. Or course, whether or not I am successful at that is a matter of opinion.

I don't worry too much about it, nor should you.

[saltpoint]

20. I don't want things dumbed down, the way Dubya does --

-- democracy for instance.

I'm willing to sit through Moby-Dick, even when it seems obtuse, because Melville knows more about any of those things than I do.

I have a lot of friends who are willing to quietly listen to whoever or whatever can teach them new things. I like being around people like that.

Stick to your guns, SarahBelle.

[SarahB]

21. "willing to quietly listen to whoever or whatever can teach them new...

things"

I like that. I don't think it comes from one source or anything necessary academic either (though it can). Sometimes it's older people or people with a different set of life experiences. We're all unique with a story to tell. People just never want to open that up, so it's sports, the weather, or reality TV. It's sad really.

[MikeG]

23. If they said that to Skittles, she'd just kick his ass.

[SarahB]

24. She needs to give out lessons.

I'm much better than I used to be, but I still find myself having to talk myself into strength at times. The older I get, the easier it becomes though.