Does anybody encounter this problem frequently?

[Turtleboy1017]

Escapist, I am someone who has a large vocabulary and I get bored when words are repeated. Today, I was having an argument with my Father and my Uncle. Without going into details I dislike having certain "guests" in our, (My Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Grandmother and My own) home. Instead of saying "I don't like having them here, they make us change certain things we do" I said "Their whole presence is an imposition". My Father replied "Oh, talk big words now".

I thought to myself that the sentence was one of the most idiotic things I have ever heard. I don't criticise them for having a limited vocabulary but they imply that I speak this way to hold some sort of pretentious weapon over them.

On another note, I am not someone who is unable to openly admit that I was wrong if indeed I was incorrect. That being said, my Uncle brought up in the arguement "Oh, he just has to be right, everybody is wrong besides him". Beyond the rudeness of referring to me as if I were not there, it also is a defence that is frequently used when people are wrong. They say this as an attempt to discredit someone who actually is correct while having no actual point to bring up for themself.

Now my question to you is this, does anything like this happen to you often?

No, this does not exactly happen to me... like EVER.

Personally, if I was pissed off at you and you spoke to me like that, it would seem your trying to be more of a smart ass than getting your point across.

My 10th grade English teacher used to say, if small words can be used rather than big ones, why not just use the small ones? I remember his because on one of my essays she gave me a C- because she said I was trying too hard to use the hardest words I could, and that it clogged up the point I was trying to make across.

 

[ckam]

I am somehow always wrong, no matter what. At this point in time I just give up and humor people.

 

[Antlers]

This is starting to ring of 'sigh. I'm just SO clever. Why does no one get me? Waaaah.'

 

[The_ModeRazor]

I am somehow always wrong, no matter what. At this point in time I just give up and humor people.

Are you me?

 

[awesomeemosewa]

well people tell me i cant be wrong but that's probobly right xD

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Slandering someone for having a large vocabulary strikes me as an insult to the language. How many interesting words are there in the english language? And you're not allowed to use them because some people are thick? Ridiculous.

Besides, "imposition" is hardly an obscure word.

 

[Abedeus]

Yeah, I get that a lot. Even today, I asked my friend if he's "mentally prepared for the school". He asked me "huh?" and I explained that "like, you know, in your head, thoughts and so on...". Then he understood.

I also have to watch my language, because many times I have to explain what I've just said. And when I'm doing something on my dad's laptop and he wants to know what I am doing... Then again, and again, then he might understand.

I think I have the smarts from my mother... She at least tries to understand and put it into a context or something.

nope,I don't use big words.

although I have grown quite fond of itadakimasu and gochisosoma,they are not however good arguement material,considering the meaning

I think you are just a weeaboo. Using Japanese words just because you think they are cool.

Itadakimasu? Gochisosoma? Are you sure? Well, you're welcome, glad you enjoyed your meal.

 

[Skratt]

Escapist, I am someone who has a large vocabulary and I get bored when words are repeated. Today, I was having an argument with my Father and my Uncle. Without going into details I dislike having certain "guests" in our, (My Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Grandmother and My own) home. Instead of saying "I don't like having them here, they make us change certain things we do" I said "Their whole presence is an imposition". My Father replied "Oh, talk big words now".

I thought to myself that the sentence was one of the most idiotic things I have ever heard. I don't criticize them for having a limited vocabulary but they imply that I speak this way to hold some sort of pretentious weapon over them.

On another note, I am not someone who is unable to openly admit that I was wrong if indeed I was incorrect. That being said, my Uncle brought up in the argument "Oh, he just has to be right, everybody is wrong besides him". Beyond the rudeness of referring to me as if I were not there, it also is a defense that is frequently used when people are wrong. They say this as an attempt to discredit someone who actually is correct while having no actual point to bring up for themselves.

Now my question to you is this, does anything like this happen to you often?

That sucks dude. Sounds like they don't know how to relate to you, so you have to put up with ignorant shit like that. My parents were ignorant in different ways, but I have extended family that behaves the same way as yours. You can't really fight it, so either find a way to relate to them or try not to stir the hornets nest. Or if you are brave, when they say things like that, apologize and tell them you'll try to dumb it down for them next time. They'll love that!

 

[Skratt]

No, this does not exactly happen to me... like EVER.

Personally, if I was pissed off at you and you spoke to me like that, it would seem your trying to be more of a smart ass than getting your point across.

My 10th grade English teacher used to say, if small words can be used rather than big ones, why not just use the small ones? I remember his because on one of my essays she gave me a C- because she said I was trying too hard to use the hardest words I could, and that it clogged up the point I was trying to make across.

OP, His English teacher was right in a way. Basically it's the "When in Rome" as it relates to your audience. If you are speaking to people who don't use big words, don't use big words if you don't have to. It makes them feel like YOU are trying to make them feel inferior. So, don't use big words around them. Unless you want to, just be prepared for razzing hilarity to ensure.

 

[Orang.Otang]

I take great pride in my rhetoric, making sure it is articulate and precise, and unfortunately this sometimes creates secondary conflicts when I present my point in an idiom my opponent is unfamilar with. Ostensibly this behaviour may seem pretentious, which is exactly the problem you faced with your family members: you're not trying to impress them. An undeserved stigma seems to be attached to using 'bombastic' or 'grandiloquent' language, so maybe using other peoples' vernacular against themselves is a more practical approach when dealing with subjects who don't appreciate your linguistic prowess. It's ultimately better to have more people understand you, even if it's only on a superficial level, rather than be solipsistic in your ideas.

Or you could drop their toothbrush in the toilet, whatever.

 

[martin's a madman]

Escapist, I am someone who has a large vocabulary and I get bored when words are repeated. Today, I was having an argument with my Father and my Uncle. Without going into details I dislike having certain "guests" in our, (My Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Grandmother and My own) home. Instead of saying "I don't like having them here, they make us change certain things we do" I said "Their whole presence is an imposition". My Father replied "Oh, talk big words now".

I thought to myself that the sentence was one of the most idiotic things I have ever heard. I don't criticise them for having a limited vocabulary but they imply that I speak this way to hold some sort of pretentious weapon over them.

On another note, I am not someone who is unable to openly admit that I was wrong if indeed I was incorrect. That being said, my Uncle brought up in the arguement "Oh, he just has to be right, everybody is wrong besides him". Beyond the rudeness of referring to me as if I were not there, it also is a defence that is frequently used when people are wrong. They say this as an attempt to discredit someone who actually is correct while having no actual point to bring up for themself.

Now my question to you is this, does anything like this happen to you often?

No, this does not exactly happen to me... like EVER.

Personally, if I was pissed off at you and you spoke to me like that, it would seem your trying to be more of a smart ass than getting your point across.

My 10th grade English teacher used to say, if small words can be used rather than big ones, why not just use the small ones? I remember his because on one of my essays she gave me a C- because she said I was trying too hard to use the hardest words I could, and that it clogged up the point I was trying to make across.

Yes but I do not purposely try to speak a certain way. It all just seems to be how I am programmed to speak. I agree that if you attempt to use as many large words as possible just for the sake of seeming intelligent that it is an idiocy, but I do not do it with intent it is just the way the words spring uo from my brain.

 

[martin's a madman]

I don't see how intelligence is connected to the use of "big words" by some posters above. Too lazy to quote.

Your vocabulary does not really show your intellect. And yes, you are acting like a pretentious dick when you talk to someone who might not understand it. I mean, sure thing, a few of my close friends - hell, even me - are recent immigrants who only started using English in every day life in the last 5-6 years. They might not know all the words in English - does that make them stupid? No.

And in any case, OP , based on your age and the fact that you live in the same house as your parents does dismiss most of the argument. You're whining about your parents' friends (I assume, based on your post) who visit the house that your parents own. They have every right to dismiss your argument - it's their property and it's their friends.

Ahh, careful with assumptions. Yes, having a large vocabulary does not make you inherently more intelligent than someone who does not. Also, age holds no weight in these matters. The thing I dislike having over were not my parents' friends, but relatives with animals that everyone is annoyed with but nobody wants to admit it for the fear of hurting feelings. I do disagree with myself acting like a a pretentious dick when I am speaking the way that feels right to me. The same way that accusing somebody who has a large vocabulary a pretentious dick could apply to someone with a more limited vocabulary as an ignorant fool. Neither is a correct assumption but it seems you would condemn one while defending the other to death.

 

[quiet_samurai]

I don't know you, but.... I hae a friend that uses big words all the time just to satisfy his smug ideal he has about himself. I think unless you are in an academic situation then usuing big sophisticated words is only to show everyone in the room you are smarter then them. And just because you are a walking thesaurus and have a rich vocabulary, doesn't necessarily mean you always know what the fuck you are talking about.

 

[Ushario]

This is the same man who was unaware that uncapable wasn't a word, and I sure as hell don't pull him up on it.

Hate to break it to you, but it's incapable.

Hate to inform you but it makes perfect sense in that sentence.

Someone mentioned that they have an IQ of 170, being the cynic that I am, I have to doubt this. IQ tests are normalized and having an IQ of 170 means 4.6 standard deviations from the mean. This is extremely unlikely. At 125, my average score, there is a deviation of 1.6 from the mean. Meaning that according to IQ tests I'm a bright person but not unusual or a genius.

The mean is 100 and the standard deviation is 15, so 115 is slightly above average, 130 would be noticeably above average and 145 is the effective ceiling thanks to the nature of the tests.

OT A large number of people posting here seem to be more interested in demeaning others that don't understand a word, maybe in the future you could explain its meaning to the listener without insulting them. It sounds like a lack of social skills is the problem rather than the linguistic and intellectual capabilities of the audience.

 

[martin's a madman]

This is the same man who was unaware that uncapable wasn't a word, and I sure as hell don't pull him up on it.

Hate to break it to you, but it's incapable.

Hate to inform you but it makes perfect sense in that sentence.

Someone mentioned that they have an IQ of 170, being the cynic that I am, I have to doubt this. IQ tests are normalized and having an IQ of 170 means 4.6 standard deviations from the mean. This is extremely unlikely. At 125, my average score, there is a deviation of 1.6 from the mean. Meaning that according to IQ tests I'm a bright person but not unusual or a genius.

The mean is 100 and the standard deviation is 15, so 115 is slightly above average, 130 would be noticeably above average and 145 is the effective ceiling thanks to the nature of the tests.

OT A large number of people posting here seem to be more interested in demeaning others that don't understand a word, maybe in the future you could explain its meaning to the listener without insulting them. It sounds like a lack of social skills is the problem rather than the linguistic and intellectual capabilities of the audience.

Well put.

 

[martin's a madman]

I don't see how intelligence is connected to the use of "big words" by some posters above. Too lazy to quote.

Your vocabulary does not really show your intellect. And yes, you are acting like a pretentious dick when you talk to someone who might not understand it. I mean, sure thing, a few of my close friends - hell, even me - are recent immigrants who only started using English in every day life in the last 5-6 years. They might not know all the words in English - does that make them stupid? No.

And in any case, OP , based on your age and the fact that you live in the same house as your parents does dismiss most of the argument. You're whining about your parents' friends (I assume, based on your post) who visit the house that your parents own. They have every right to dismiss your argument - it's their property and it's their friends.

Ahh, careful with assumptions. Yes, having a large vocabulary does not make you inherently more intelligent than someone who does not. Also, age holds no weight in these matters. The thing I dislike having over were not my parents' friends, but relatives with animals that everyone is annoyed with but nobody wants to admit it for the fear of hurting feelings. I do disagree with myself acting like a a pretentious dick when I am speaking the way that feels right to me. The same way that accusing somebody who has a large vocabulary a pretentious dick could apply to someone with a more limited vocabulary as an ignorant fool. Neither is a correct assumption but it seems you would condemn one while defending the other to death.

Well, you do seem to make more sense in your later posts in this thread. It's just that your first post and a number of follow up replies by others made me feel that the "people with limited vocabulary" are being looked down upon by pretentious dicks. And sometimes it's just better to oppose and be heard then "spread the truth" and be ignored. But hey - maybe I'm wrong.

I can definitely relate to your problems, though. My family's got the same thing with annoying relatives and a few annoying friends who nobody really likes but doesn't want to offend them for whatever reason. Maybe it's just my progressive and clearly wrong (/sarcasm) ideals, but I think that we're putting too much weight on blood relations in our society. Your family should be the people who share your interests, likes and dislikes, and generally accept you and not the people who can just be tracked back to you through blood testing.

You could probably link long-wordiness to some kind of an old belief that it has something to do with one's intelligence and thus by using rarely spoken words you might be implying that you're smarter then the audience, but it's probably too much of a leap. Meh.

In the end, when you're surrounded by others you tend to have to conform to the norms of whatever society you're a part of or not be accepted. There's no real right or wrong in this situation - but in this crude and highly offensive (probably)example, if you say that you're gay in the middle of the pro-homophobia rally (I doubt that those exist, but who knows), whether you think you're special or not, you're going to either get laughed at or beaten into pulp.

So today's moral is: CONFORM! or leave!

Haha, humourous and insightful. Agreed about the too much emphasis on the blood relations. Not so much with conformity but I am not sure if that was sarcasm.