Do we really need cumbersome words when simple ones will do? I’ve somehow gotten onto the mailing lists of several sites that share long doozies that will only make us look ridiculous if we use them:
Terpsichorean. This relates to dancing. “Oh, her terpsichorean skills were amazing.” Pedantic + Snooty = You will never get invited back.
Sprachgefuhl. This means a sense of the natural character of a language.
Give me a break—you use this word and no one will think you have it!
Veridical. First of all, people will think you’re trying
to say vertical. It means true to reality, but why not just say true to
reality?
Eidolon. This is an idealized person or thing. In this time of scrutiny and criticism, does anyone even do this anymore?
Obnubulate. This
means to darken or shadow something. Can’t you just picture yourself saying, “I
hope those Tenebrous clouds don’t obnubulate our wedding.” Then, “Hey, where did the groom go? Honey?
Honey?”
Horripilation.
Okay, I’ll admit I like this one, but only because it sounds like something
horrible. It actually means the hair on
our skin standing up due to cold or fear.
I think I’ll end with Peripeteia, because it’s something all of us would like: it’s a suddenly reversal of fortune. Although we only want that one if it’s a grand surprise in the upward direction, right?
While you await
your peripeteia, check out my Youtube Mom videos for hundreds of easy life
hacks.
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