The last fortnight has been spent reading up on words, which I would probably never use, for an exam. I am learning words like superannuated, plenipotentiary, avarice, quietus, and curmudgeon and so on. These words are generally never used by normal people...at least the ones with a fair sense of vocabulary. In fact, they are never used.I am sure that even after a highly over-priced post graduate education, most people pursuing goals similar to mine would not use these words. And why is that so? The simple answer lies in the fact that these words make you sound like a moron.
And I have been sounding like one of late, just so that I may be able to remember those words when the exam comes around. For example, if I were to comment in a group of people, that I thought some random person was terribly miserly I would say, “guys…that dude is so parsimonious”. No! I haven’t said that, lest the gang abandons me on account of being a complete moron, but I am getting there soon. But I did unconsciously find myself using them until a friend was kind enough to point it out. (Friend obviously thinks thinks I'm being a complete Jackass now) Most of these words are generally thrown around by people who want to say things that most of the general public would not otherwise comprehend. This way, you can either be labeled a complete genius or some one who generally goes about ranting nonsense. ( btw, gobbledygook is another word for nonsense…..I would have easily mistaken it for a sub species of Hobbit)
The fact remains that most of the world, not counting the elite brit who studied English at Cambridge or Oxford, don’t use words like this in day to day life. Such expressions are generally left to philosophers and poets. And since both are a dying breed in this day and age, use of such elaborate words is left to morons looking to show off. ( I do not fall in this category….) Many of these words when really studied actually are quite amazing. They bring out the true essences of what one might want to say or try to describe. PG Wodehouse is a perfect example of such use of the beautiful English language. I read his books as a child and most of it flew over my head, thanks to all the big words. But now, when I read the same, I just find his writing simply amazing. It’s the beauty of the English language best left to such works.
But it does make for great comical moments when people either don’t get the meaning of the word correct or don’t know where to use it properly. I know of a scenario where person A said to person B, “We need to expedite this”. To which person B replies, “ No need for expedition. We can follow process. I know how to solve this.”. I’ve come across so many scenarios like this. I’m not sure whether to ignore it because we really don’t need to use these fancy words, and that the fact that these people are just mere victims of a sub-standard level of English education in our schools. Another part of me feels that people can always pick up a book and start reading. I for one, definitely think using such words is an indication of ones exposure to better works of literature and thinking, but at the same time, I cannot be prejudice and deem a person with average vocabulary an nincompoop. Well, I guess until some prudence awakens and we can continue being plain and boring.
The whole point of all this is that I am terribly miffed that I have to spend time, forcing myself to read words which I may never ever ever use again...not in this life time at least. And i would like to meet at least one graduate from a top B school who actually uses this in his daily life. In my opinion, it's all a waste of time. But it has to be done, so am doing it.
PS: When the exam passes, I hope to have gotten over this repugnant habit of using big words. If it does not go away, please get ready to pull out a lexicon when reading future blogs. ( Now I’m just being an a** and showing off)
And I have been sounding like one of late, just so that I may be able to remember those words when the exam comes around. For example, if I were to comment in a group of people, that I thought some random person was terribly miserly I would say, “guys…that dude is so parsimonious”. No! I haven’t said that, lest the gang abandons me on account of being a complete moron, but I am getting there soon. But I did unconsciously find myself using them until a friend was kind enough to point it out. (Friend obviously thinks thinks I'm being a complete Jackass now) Most of these words are generally thrown around by people who want to say things that most of the general public would not otherwise comprehend. This way, you can either be labeled a complete genius or some one who generally goes about ranting nonsense. ( btw, gobbledygook is another word for nonsense…..I would have easily mistaken it for a sub species of Hobbit)
The fact remains that most of the world, not counting the elite brit who studied English at Cambridge or Oxford, don’t use words like this in day to day life. Such expressions are generally left to philosophers and poets. And since both are a dying breed in this day and age, use of such elaborate words is left to morons looking to show off. ( I do not fall in this category….) Many of these words when really studied actually are quite amazing. They bring out the true essences of what one might want to say or try to describe. PG Wodehouse is a perfect example of such use of the beautiful English language. I read his books as a child and most of it flew over my head, thanks to all the big words. But now, when I read the same, I just find his writing simply amazing. It’s the beauty of the English language best left to such works.
But it does make for great comical moments when people either don’t get the meaning of the word correct or don’t know where to use it properly. I know of a scenario where person A said to person B, “We need to expedite this”. To which person B replies, “ No need for expedition. We can follow process. I know how to solve this.”. I’ve come across so many scenarios like this. I’m not sure whether to ignore it because we really don’t need to use these fancy words, and that the fact that these people are just mere victims of a sub-standard level of English education in our schools. Another part of me feels that people can always pick up a book and start reading. I for one, definitely think using such words is an indication of ones exposure to better works of literature and thinking, but at the same time, I cannot be prejudice and deem a person with average vocabulary an nincompoop. Well, I guess until some prudence awakens and we can continue being plain and boring.
The whole point of all this is that I am terribly miffed that I have to spend time, forcing myself to read words which I may never ever ever use again...not in this life time at least. And i would like to meet at least one graduate from a top B school who actually uses this in his daily life. In my opinion, it's all a waste of time. But it has to be done, so am doing it.
PS: When the exam passes, I hope to have gotten over this repugnant habit of using big words. If it does not go away, please get ready to pull out a lexicon when reading future blogs. ( Now I’m just being an a** and showing off)
Comments