Having to look up words in a story

[Zootonius]

I agree - I think using an obscure word for the hell of it is a bit obnoxious. My problem is that my definition of obscure doesn’t necessarily line up with everyone else’s.

Em

Bill Buckley was famous for his erudition. I heard someone explain the exasperating thing about him was his words were always used exactly right.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

It's not the erudite words I need to look up, but the local dialect ones. American sports terms, often. A 'tony' neighborhood.

I assume many readers will have similar issues with Brit dialect and assumptions, so I try to make words clear in context, but frequently I don't know a phrase isnt used abroad until someone looks blank. Someone 'in floods' meaning in tears apparently wouldn't be understood by most Americans, according to a couple beta readers.

 

[EmilyMiller]

It's not the erudite words I need to look up, but the local dialect ones. American sports terms, often. A 'tony' neighborhood.

I assume many readers will have similar issues with Brit dialect and assumptions, so I try to make words clear in context, but frequently I don't know a phrase isnt used abroad until someone looks blank. Someone 'in floods' meaning in tears apparently wouldn't be understood by most Americans, according to a couple beta readers.

It’s hard. I’ve had people complain about me using Pre-K, which just didn’t occur to me.

Em

 

[R. Richard]

I must admit that I was taken aback when I read about a time traveler being attacked by a rampaging thesaurus.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I must admit that I was taken aback when I read about a time traveler being attacked by a rampaging thesaurus.

Nasty theropod carnosaur. They triangulate.

Em

 

[StillStunned]

I must admit that I was taken aback when I read about a time traveler being attacked by a rampaging thesaurus.

Are those the ones with the fancy spines?

 

[MillieDynamite]

Bindings, bookbindings, backstrips, outside edge, and so on and so forth.

Are those the ones with the fancy spines?

 

[Kelliezgirl]

I must admit that I was taken aback when I read about a time traveler being attacked by a rampaging thesaurus.

That seems out of character for them. Usually they are a non aggressive species that thrive by talking their way out of danger with colorful and flowery language.

 

[Zootonius]

Nasty theropod carnosaur. They triangulate.

Em

I always felt that 'Anthropod' is one of those non-existent words that seems like it should.

Maybe in some SciFi story of aliens.

 

[Cindy027]

I view it as my own shortcoming and therefore have no issue either going to google or a dictionary to learn a new word.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I always felt that 'Anthropod' is one of those non-existent words that seems like it should.

Maybe in some SciFi story of aliens.

Man-foot?

Not quite the same ring as beast-foot .

Em

 

[EmilyMiller]

That seems out of character for them. Usually they are a non aggressive species that thrive by talking their way out of danger with colorful and flowery language.

Chromatic and grandiloquent surely?

Em

 

[Kelliezgirl]

Chromatic and grandiloquent surely?

Em

Certainly a good start.

 

[R. Richard]

I can assure you that I haven abjured the use of sesquipedalian words in my postings, at least to the extent practical.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I can assure you that I haven abjured the use of sesquipedalian words in my postings, at least to the extent practical.

This episode of AH was brought to you by the word sesquipedalian and the number 69.

Em

 

[MyBareTorso]

Personally, I’m delighted when I read a story and the author has used a word I’m unfamiliar with. It’s a chance to learn a new word. But do some people find inaccessible vocab annoying?

Em

I like it if it works seamlessly within the story, and I enjoy the learning aspect of it too.

 

[EmilyMiller]

This episode of AH was brought to you by the word sesquipedalian and the number 69.

Em

I have to say that sesquipedalian is equally as self-referential as recherché.

Em

 

[Kelliezgirl]

My one annoyance is I frequently listen to audio books and it's frustrating when there is a word you do want to look up but you're driving, or out for a run. Trying to file it away until you stop somewhere...

 

[EmilyMiller]

My one annoyance is I frequently listen to audio books and it's frustrating when there is a word you do want to look up but you're driving, or out for a run. Trying to file it away until you stop somewhere...

Try getting text to voice to not have a nervous breakdown reading @MediocreAuthor ’s Eldritch Pact!!!

Em

 

[MediocreAuthor]

Try getting text to voice to not have a nervous breakdown reading @MediocreAuthor ’s Eldritch Pact!!!

Em

That is incredibly true. I used text-to-speech to proofread that story.

Very disorienting.

But, in my defense, there is a warning in the forward. Lmao.

 

[EmilyMiller]

That is incredibly true. I used text-to-speech to proofread that story.

Very disorienting.

But, in my defense, there is a warning in the forward. Lmao.

Yeah - but I kinda click past that using the switch on the steering wheel .

Em

 

[TadOverdon]

Thesaurus use can be a little annoying, and potentially and possibly a bit extravagant?

Also dont you find throws you out of the story if there is a strange word?

No.

 

[MediocreAuthor]

Yeah - but I kinda click past that using the switch on the steering wheel .

Em

I don't blame you. I often skip the forward as well

 

[EmilyMiller]

I don't blame you. I often skip the forward as well

We’re just as bad as each other .

Em

 

[Zootonius]

Try getting text to voice to not have a nervous breakdown reading @MediocreAuthor ’s Eldritch Pact!!!

Em

Okay, I confess I get a kick while proofreading, having MS Word's female voice saying calmly, "He sucked on her luscious nipple!"