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People who use words they don't understand

  • 05-09-2013 12:01PM
    #1
    Prodgey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,238 ✭✭✭


    A lot of people try to look smarter than they are by using big words, some of which they don't actually understand, and hope they work in the context.


    The other day I was at the gym with a friend. We were debating whether or not to go up a few kg or not. He goes to me:
    "Well, Prodgey, if you're feeling particularly promiscuous you might try the 18kg." :pac:
    Needless to say I took the piss for the rest of the day.

    Any examples of people you know making fools of themselves in this way?


«13456

Comments

  • #2
    Honey-ec
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,844 ✭✭✭Honey-ec


    Prodgey wrote: »
    Any examples of people you know making fools of themselves in this way?

    Anyone who uses the word "revert" when they actually mean "reply".

    That makes baby jesus (and me) cry.


  • #3
    wazky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,516 ✭✭✭wazky


    I literally understand what your saying.


  • #4
    krudler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,788 ✭✭✭✭krudler


    "I literally died laughing"

    No, no you didn't.


  • #5
    kneemos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,453 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    Prodgey wrote: »
    A lot of people try to look smarter than they are by using big words, some of which they don't actually understand, and hope they work in the context.


    The other day I was at the gym with a friend. We were debating whether or not to go up a few kg or not. He goes to me:
    "Well, Prodgey, if you're feeling particularly promiscuous you might try the 18kg." :pac:
    Needless to say I took the piss for the rest of the day.

    Any examples of people you know making fools of themselves in this way?

    Jim.


  • #6
    Gumbi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,682 ✭✭✭Gumbi


    krudler wrote: »
    "I literally died laughing"

    No, no you didn't.

    Ah in fairness that's called vernacular usage. In that context it isn't mean to mean "literally", 'tis just being use as a strong emphatic. Killed your moment?


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  • #7
    krudler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,788 ✭✭✭✭krudler


    Gumbi wrote: »
    Ah in fairness that's called vernacular usage. In that context it isn't mean to mean "literally", 'tis just being use as a strong emphatic. Killed your moment?

    So it literally doesn't mean literally?


  • #8
    ButtersSuki
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 53,028 ✭✭✭✭ButtersSuki


    krudler wrote: »
    "I literally died laughing"

    No, no you didn't.

    Literally has recently been redefined and expanded to include non-literal meanings. I know!

    Can't add much more to this at the moment as I'm using an iPhone but a quick google should yield confirmation of same. Heard this being discussed recently on a radio programme.


  • #9
    castletownman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,597 ✭✭✭✭castletownman


    Yes. When in Rome.......


  • #10
    Stone Deaf 4evr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,000 ✭✭✭Stone Deaf 4evr


    Anyone watch the tv show "archer" main character uses great english even though it sounds all wrong. "lana, I'm figuratively dying over here".

    I hate when I'm explaining things and people tell me to be more pacific.


  • #11
    DeanAustin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,885 ✭✭✭DeanAustin


    Honey-ec wrote: »
    Anyone who uses the word "revert" when they actually mean "reply".

    That makes baby jesus (and me) cry.

    I used to do that. For shame...


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  • #12
    Loopy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,220 ✭✭✭✭Loopy


    It's all relative...

    Arrrgh.


  • #13
    folan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,630 ✭✭✭folan


    i endeavor to vernacularate to the highest possible standard.


  • #14
    longhalloween
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,207 ✭✭✭longhalloween


    droll
    adjective
    1.
    amusing in an odd way; whimsically humorous; waggish.
    noun
    2.
    a droll person; jester; wag.
    verb (used without object)
    3.
    Archaic. to jest; joke.

    4.
    DOES NOT MEAN 'BORING'!!!!


  • #15
    Muise...
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,512 ✭✭✭Muise...


    I get Inigo to sort them out for me.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2y8Sx4B2Sk


  • #16
    The Backwards Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,299 ✭✭✭✭The Backwards Man


    Ironically, that's literally a moot point.


  • #17
    danniemcq
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭danniemcq


    Honestly this thread is giving me paroxysms of exasperation


  • #18
    Links234
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,944 ✭✭✭✭Links234


    This thread is starting to read like John Waters' vocabulary.


  • #19
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 25,909 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    krudler wrote: »
    "I literally died laughing"

    No, no you didn't.

    https://www.google.ie/search?site=&source=hp&q=define%3A+literally :(


  • #20
    Sky King
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭Sky King


    I don't see what's wrong with it, it's a perfectly cromulent word.


  • #21
    conor2469
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 542 ✭✭✭conor2469


    Irregardless (instead of regardless).


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  • #22
    YFlyer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,712 ✭✭✭YFlyer


    In before Del Boy sentences.


  • #23
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,060 ✭✭✭✭biko


    ButtersSuki wrote: »
    Literally has recently been redefined and expanded to include non-literal meanings. I know!
    Yeah, I blame "word meaning inflation"/hyperbole to use stronger words to elicit a response.

    "I tore his head off" - I told him I disapproved of his comment
    "My dad will kill me" - my da will be miffed
    "I'm depressed" - I'm feel a little down today


  • #24
    Mr. CooL ICE
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,903 ✭✭✭✭Mr. CooL ICE


    Not the same thing, but double negatives piss me off

    "I ain't not going"

    :confused::confused::confused:


  • #25
    take everything
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,858 ✭✭✭take everything


    "he was talking to you and I"
    "the most important tenants of religion"
    "i didn't illicit any signs of distress"
    "I'm nauseous"
    "what are you inferring by that statement?
    "Poor concentration is exasperated by tiredness".

    Some not exactly what the OP is talking about but they are bloody annoying.


  • #26
    Elbaston
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 443 ✭✭Elbaston


    LordChessington wrote: »
    Not the same thing, but double negatives piss me off

    "I ain't not going"

    :confused::confused::confused:

    I could care less.


  • #27
    Earthhorse
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,720 ✭✭✭✭Earthhorse


    Loopy wrote: »
    It's all relative...

    Hmmm? Not sure I get this one.


  • #28
    srsly78
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,157 ✭✭✭srsly78


    krudler wrote: »
    So it literally doesn't mean literally?

    For all intensive purposes it does.


  • #29
    Artful_Badger
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,339 ✭✭✭Artful_Badger


    krudler wrote: »
    So it literally doesn't mean literally?

    Literally can mean literally, it can also mean figuratively depending on how its used. I don't get why so many have issue with this, its not much different than sarcasm really.


  • #30
    Vito Corleone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,753 ✭✭✭Vito Corleone


    I hate when people use words just to sound more intelligent even though it adds nothing to what they have said. "Essentially" is one used a fair bit, I know a lad who will fit this into every sentence he can just to sound smarter. It's actually embarrassing, objectively speaking. As he would say himself.


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  • #31
    ElvisChrist6
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 595 ✭✭✭ElvisChrist6


    longhalloween wrote: »
    droll
    adjective
    1.
    amusing in an odd way; whimsically humorous; waggish.
    noun
    2.
    a droll person; jester; wag.
    verb (used without object)
    3.
    Archaic. to jest; joke.

    4.
    DOES NOT MEAN 'BORING'!!!!

    I do understand why people think it means boring, drole is one of the most boring words for funny there is. If not for learning French, I probably would have guessed it meant boring!


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