Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Erudite Locutions (Smart-Sounding Words)

These are five words I would like to use more in casual conversation, but it would sound like I'm trying to sound smarter than I really am.

1.lugubrious

mournful, dismal

How I would like to interject the word in conversation.
"Yes, Charles is looking quite lugubrious today. It is a shame, really."

What I normally would say.
"Chuck looks bad."

2.coquettish

A woman who endeavors to without sincere affection to gain the attention and admiration of men.

How I would like to interject the word in conversation.
"That gentlewoman appears frighteningly coquettish standing there twirling her parasol in our direction."

What I normally would say.
"Pretty."

3.audacity

shameless boldness

How I would like to interject the word in conversation.
"I cannot believe sir that you would have the audacity to suggest such an accusation to my personage!"

What I normally would say.
"You wanna piece of me!"

4.bombastic

pompous, overblown

How I would like to interject the word in conversation.
"My analysis concludes that this paragraph is full of bombastic pretension and needs to be revised to reflect a more reasonable observation."

What I normally would say.
"Arrogant bastard."

5.acquiesce

to accept, comply

How I would like to interject the word in conversation.
"I resignedly acquiesce to your demands, but never believe for one moment that I have readily capitulated with a reposed moral conscience."

What I normally would say.
"Okay, I'll do it."

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