question

[debonair heathen]

Should prolixity and grandiloquence be eschewed?

[Saanen]

Indubitably.

[Euan H.]

Depends.

[reph]

They're like the antique china you inherited from Grandma. They look nice behind glass in the cabinet, but they aren't very practical for everyday use.

[pianoman5]

Prolixity and grandiloquence, like all other exotic European foodstuffs, should be eschewed at least 32 times before swallowing.

That's what my Uncle Horace used to say, and he was a well-known public masticator, right up until his arrest.

[Aconite]

Speaking in general terms, the interrogative statement is affirmatively answered excepting situations in which one needs a fictional or fictionalized character with a tumescent oral orifice.

[NeuroFizz]

I keep tryin, but it's as hard as jammin soft butter up a wildcat's arse with a hot poker. That's what Pappy used to say, but I can't remember if it was Pappy number three or four. I guess I got it from him. Family says I'm an uppity son-of-a-... But I'm gonna write one of them novel books. I'll show em. Cause I write good. Had a dictionary, but the hog ate all but A, B, C and D. But they's enough big words left to show em I belong in New York City, by God.

[Perks]

Nah, knock yourself out.

[AdamH]

Should prolixity and grandiloquence be eschewed?

I'd answer this but I don't know what the definition of "be" is.:Shrug:

[Danger Jane]

ONLY good if it is THE ONLY way to say something. If the perfect word is that nasty, though...maybe you don't have the vocabulary you might want to have...

[LightShadow]

Big words are like...oh heck, they ain't like nothin'. They just good ever once in awhile, then you gotta splain 'em real good so you ain't losin' yore reader. know what I mean?

[Niesta]

Should prolixity and grandiloquence be eschewed?

Gesundheit.

[Vanessa]

Should prolixity and grandiloquence be eschewed?

Huh? http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteShrug.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteHuh.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteWha.gif Honestly!
And I won't EVEN cheat and look it up!

[Thekherham]

Too many big words and I'd put the novel down where it will linger unread.

Why say 'prevaricate' when you can say 'lie?'

[pianoman5]

Why say 'prevaricate' when you can say 'lie?'

But "aye, there's the rub", as someone often prone to prolixity and lengthy elaboration of his own once wrote.

Sometimes, only the right word will do, no matter how grandiloquent it may sound; and there's a subtle but major distinction between prevarication and lying. The former implies avoiding telling the truth by subterfuge or beating about the bush, whereas the latter means that the untruth has actually been spoken.

In my experience, most people don't lie unless sorely pressed, but prevarication is a quotidian matter. (Okay, an everyday matter). After all, the worlds of commerce, government and the law rely on it. As a salesman, finance director, politician or solicitor you can go to jail for lying, but if you learn to prevaricate successfully, you're equipped to rise to the top of your profession.

And for those offended by words like "prevaricate", be thankful that not many people use its friend, "tergiversate".

[P.S. Thekerham, I agree with the principle, but you chose a bad example :) ]

[scribbler1382]

This is just fustian, which only belongs in academic texts, imo. The number one rule in writing -- in ANY kind of writing -- is to know your audience and write for them. If you're writing popular fiction then this just seems pretentious and boring. A thinly veiled attempt by the writer to impress himself.

[rowriter]

Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do.

[Vanessa]

This is just fustian, which only belongs in academic texts, imo. The number one rule in writing -- in ANY kind of writing -- is to know your audience and write for them. If you're writing popular fiction then this just seems pretentious and boring. A thinly veiled attempt by the writer to impress himself.

Yeah! What Marty said. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteJump.gif

[debonair heathen]

Thanks for the thoughtful comments.

[Ebelie]

And for those offended by words like "prevaricate", be thankful that not many people use its friend, "tergiversate".


I seem to remember arguing once about whether or not "tergiversate" was a real word.

I insisted that the other person had made it up.

Oops.