For the men. If you could provide, would you? How would you? If you were a woman what kind of hoe would you be?

Exactly. I think we share some of the same thoughts on language. You used that word when you could have used many others. Many words mean a retort, response, etc, but few in that category have the extra added meaning of being clever. the one you used does. I just thought that was what you meant to imply, since that was the word that you used. You chose a very particular word when just any one would do. I think you secretly love me. Originally Posted by chelseabean

I do so agree though. I have taken the GRE three times. . The first two times I was too young to critique what was being asked. I did very well. perfect score on the verbal section. 800. Twice. Second time, I was almost offended. Having went to graduate school at that point, my thought when and how does one EVER use those ridiculous words, not even in academic writing, you just don't. Just crazy. Knowing words other don't is NOT a recipe for success.

I think you secretly love me. Originally Posted by chelseabean

I love witty repartee

Knowing words other don't is NOT a recipe for success. Originally Posted by chelseabean

If the age of instant (and mostly unfiltered) information access has taught us anything, it's that mere memorization is not a skillset valued by any modern economy (the GRE notwithstanding). That said, I do think the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis is on to something in that the way we talk influences our patterns of cognition in a complex of feedback loops which we will probably not really understand for a long time.

Although familiarity with the nuances of language is one of the many tools that can be leveraged in learning economically valuable skills, it is neither the only nor an indispensable one. In short, many a smart person has a comparatively average or limited vocabulary. And many person with a wide vocabulary declines, for whatever reason, to make use of it. A wide vocabulary doesn't confer intelligence, but failing to understand that is a sign of stupidity (or at the very least naïveté), which is one reason I go out of my way to clarify that I do understand the limits of vocabulary.

I am, however, someone who enjoys the sensory qualities of words to paint a picture, assemble an idea or lend emotional tone to meaning. My inner critic is mostly concerned with balancing truth, beauty and flow. If he were more concerned with parsimony, I'd spend a lot less time editing my prose. Like a musician who loves all the sounds, I can at times let my enthusiasm get the better of me. I am only human.

I would but I'd have to see pictures and ask lots of questions before I agreed to meet.