- Joined
- Aug 9, 2017
- Messages
- 93
Often when you hear someone using fancy language it's a sign that they are trying to cover up the fact that they're not all that intelligent. It's as if they realise somewhere along the way "oh I can't do rocket science, so I'll just use unnecessary words like 'hubris' and 'reprehensible' so that I'll seem enigmatic and intelligent".
As an example I recently heard someone being interviewed say "if a song has interior integrity then it will connect with the person". I don't care how well educated I may be, or how many words are in my repertoire, this is not a way I'd naturally say something. And if I did I'd expect people to think I was trying to show off. If someone said that to me I'd get smart with them. I'd say "and can a song have exterior integrity?"! As soon as you read the word 'exterior' you probably realised that using the word 'interior' was completely unnecessary! Why would you, unless you are trying to come across as intelligent. I would have just simply said "If a song is good, it will connect with the person".
However, there are some people who actually speak this way, and aren't trying to show off. For such people it is important to know instinctively when to not speak in such a way depending on the people you're around. Because if you do you'll get mocked by them.
I once had a HR lady use buzzwords towards me when making a decision to move me to a different job. When she was informing me of so in a meeting in front of others, she ended up saying "although there might be some initial temporary turbulence with this change...". The moment she used this phrase I made sure to repeat those exact words (temporary turbulence) so to highlight that I knew she was bullshitting. It was her euphemism for saying that I'd have to do a whole load of more work, and the mere use of this phrase made me more skeptical than I already was. The moment she started to speak again I interrupted her by sarcastically repeating the words again. I then said "in other words you mean to say that I'll have to work two people's work?" This came back to bite me, but I do not regret it! It was worth it. And it also showed her up in front of others for the bullshitter she was.
It is nearly always worth mocking someone for using buzzwords, than biting your lip.
As an example I recently heard someone being interviewed say "if a song has interior integrity then it will connect with the person". I don't care how well educated I may be, or how many words are in my repertoire, this is not a way I'd naturally say something. And if I did I'd expect people to think I was trying to show off. If someone said that to me I'd get smart with them. I'd say "and can a song have exterior integrity?"! As soon as you read the word 'exterior' you probably realised that using the word 'interior' was completely unnecessary! Why would you, unless you are trying to come across as intelligent. I would have just simply said "If a song is good, it will connect with the person".
However, there are some people who actually speak this way, and aren't trying to show off. For such people it is important to know instinctively when to not speak in such a way depending on the people you're around. Because if you do you'll get mocked by them.
I once had a HR lady use buzzwords towards me when making a decision to move me to a different job. When she was informing me of so in a meeting in front of others, she ended up saying "although there might be some initial temporary turbulence with this change...". The moment she used this phrase I made sure to repeat those exact words (temporary turbulence) so to highlight that I knew she was bullshitting. It was her euphemism for saying that I'd have to do a whole load of more work, and the mere use of this phrase made me more skeptical than I already was. The moment she started to speak again I interrupted her by sarcastically repeating the words again. I then said "in other words you mean to say that I'll have to work two people's work?" This came back to bite me, but I do not regret it! It was worth it. And it also showed her up in front of others for the bullshitter she was.
It is nearly always worth mocking someone for using buzzwords, than biting your lip.