The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #151691   Message #3546912
Posted By: GUEST,Grishka
08-Aug-13 - 08:46 AM
Thread Name: BS: $5 Word Contest...
Subject: RE: BS: $5 Word Contest...
Don, no problem there, and certainly no criticism (once the spelling problem was corrected). With my comments (not censures), I want to point out that there are various classes of rare words, corresponding to various aspirations by the writer or speaker. Using "oftentimes" (OED: "(archaic, poetic)" - other dictionaries disagree) may convey the image of a snobbish conservative rather than a deep thinker. Similarly, whoever uses hard scientific terminology outside academic contexts nowadays, even if done convincingly, risks being denounced as a geek. Some decades ago, things were different.

Management-speak may be about to go the same way - one positive result of economic turbulences. However, the trendy braggarts will always find new ways, this much is sure.