Soooo.... - Page 864

Morrigoon · 05-07-2007, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Because prestidigitation has a more specific meaning than "magic." And that is how the disease creeps into academic discussion. When focused on minutae, the fine gradations of meaning become important. But over time it becomes a habit that is hard to break and there is a certain pleasantness to creating a vocabulary that is only understood by those in the know.

But would you not agree that overuse, and especially misuse of such words serve only to dilute the public's understanding of the specific nature of the word?

I wish I could remember where I read it... I recall reading a whole thing on the tendency toward using industry-specific jargon as a way to identify oneself as part of an "elite".

wendybeth · 05-07-2007, 10:52 PM

I read a lot and a lot of what I read is from past centuries. Consequently, I run across a lot of useful words on a regular basis and after a while it just seems normal to use them in speech. I think people tend to absorb and use words that stand out to them, and not all do it to be ostentatious. I do tend to 'dumb down' my speech, precisely because of all the " there you go using big words" comments, but I don't think of the majority of my lexicon as big words at all- just underused or outdated.

I also tend to spell straight outta Oxford, so I have Mirriam Webster bookmarked to correct such mistakes. A few will slip through, but I try.

Strangler Lewis · 05-07-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendybeth

. . . so I have Mirriam Webster bookmarked to correct such mistakes. A few will slip through, but I try.

Oh, dear.

Merriam.

wendybeth · 05-07-2007, 11:06 PM

Lol! See?

Prudence · 05-07-2007, 11:18 PM

Why are colonial era-styled fife and drum corps used to welcome the Queen of England? Isn't that rather rubbing her nose in it? Nanny-nanny-boo-boo we kicked your butts!

wendybeth · 05-07-2007, 11:19 PM

I'm fine with that. We did kick their arses, right?

Prudence · 05-07-2007, 11:24 PM

It just doesn't seem very polite. But, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at that.

wendybeth · 05-07-2007, 11:28 PM

I think they already look down their nostrils at us- I'm not going to worry about offending Elizabeth, especially since we went on to save their asses in several World Wars. History worked out the way it did, and I think they've dealt with it. Still, it won't hurt my feelings if she goes home and writes in her little diary snotty things about GW.

wendybeth · 05-08-2007, 12:44 AM

You know, having read a bit about the actual ceremony, dinner, etc- I am going to have to retract my claws. Her Majesty did just fine.

Morrigoon · 05-08-2007, 12:54 AM

But the founding fathers are rolling in their Federalist graves.

05-07-2007, 10:52 PM	#8632
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I read a lot and a lot of what I read is from past centuries. Consequently, I run across a lot of useful words on a regular basis and after a while it just seems normal to use them in speech. I think people tend to absorb and use words that stand out to them, and not all do it to be ostentatious. I do tend to 'dumb down' my speech, precisely because of all the " there you go using big words" comments, but I don't think of the majority of my lexicon as big words at all- just underused or outdated. I also tend to spell straight outta Oxford, so I have Mirriam Webster bookmarked to correct such mistakes. A few will slip through, but I try. __________________
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05-07-2007, 11:06 PM	#8634
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	Lol! See? __________________
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05-07-2007, 11:18 PM	#8635
Prudence Beelzeboobs, Esq. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gavel - I haz it Posts: 6,287	Why are colonial era-styled fife and drum corps used to welcome the Queen of England? Isn't that rather rubbing her nose in it? Nanny-nanny-boo-boo we kicked your butts! __________________ traguna macoities tracorum satis de
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05-07-2007, 11:19 PM	#8636
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I'm fine with that. We did kick their arses, right? __________________
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05-07-2007, 11:24 PM	#8637
Prudence Beelzeboobs, Esq. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gavel - I haz it Posts: 6,287	It just doesn't seem very polite. But, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at that. __________________ traguna macoities tracorum satis de
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05-07-2007, 11:28 PM	#8638
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I think they already look down their nostrils at us- I'm not going to worry about offending Elizabeth, especially since we went on to save their asses in several World Wars. History worked out the way it did, and I think they've dealt with it. Still, it won't hurt my feelings if she goes home and writes in her little diary snotty things about GW. __________________
	Submit to Quotes

05-08-2007, 12:44 AM	#8639
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	You know, having read a bit about the actual ceremony, dinner, etc- I am going to have to retract my claws. Her Majesty did just fine. __________________
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05-08-2007, 12:54 AM	#8640
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	But the founding fathers are rolling in their Federalist graves. __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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