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I really enjoy words like that. If I haven't seen it before, or it's been a while since I've seen it used, I need to take a bit of extra time to read and decode
by pertymcpert 8y ago
I really enjoy words like that. If I haven't seen it before, or it's been a while since I've seen it used, I need to take a bit of extra time to read and decode it.
It also reminds me of words like 'irreparable', rolls off the tongue quickly.
Now, when I hear someone use the word 'extant', especially during spoken language, I immediately think it's pretentious.
- WalterBright 8y agoPretentiousness comes from unusual words being used unnaturally, like someone learned the "word of the day" and is looking for excuses to insert it.
- jibal 8y agoThe idea of word use being pretentious is self-absorbed and anti-intellectual. I occasionally use the word "extant" because it's part of my vocabulary and is the best word to express its meaning, not to impress people that I don't even know exist prior to their complaint that using some word that is unfamiliar or uncommon to them is "pretentious".
- pertymcpert 8y agoCalm down. I only meant it in the sense that the sound of the word itself seems pretentious. All about the sound. It wasn't a character judgment.