Note to self

[madbaker]

Do not use phrases such as "This is not the Oracle of Delphi" when talking to a financial reporter. It confuses them and breaks your cover.

Comments

[seamoose.livejournal.com]

What? Classic education isn't allowed anymore?

[gaudete1066.livejournal.com]

Why not? I was told in no uncertain terms to dumb down my vocabulary when I was at work. I was told, "It may be fine when you're talking to the PhDs, but the rest of us can't understand you!"

[ptigris.livejournal.com]

I was once told that the words I used were "too big". Mind you this was in a professional industry, not a french-fry line.

I didn't even know I was doing this. For me, it comes almost naturally. They were insulted and complained.

Silliness. If I use "big words", it's because I think my audience can comprehend my message. It is a gesture of respect, not of superiority.

People and their self-esteem issues. Meargh.

[gaudete1066.livejournal.com]

"I didn't even know I was doing this. For me, it comes almost naturally. They were insulted and complained."

Heh. That was my case, too. I tried for about 2 hours to "dumb down," but to no avail. I just kept it quiet around the primary person (my boss, of all people!).

ROTFL

[gaudete1066.livejournal.com]

Please? Promise me you'll continue to amaze and mystify the mortals? Please?

[thelbk.livejournal.com]

I once used my Laurel's "Done is beautiful" in the CFO's staff meeting, and the staff picked it up as a catch phrase for the project...!

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

Now that makes sense.

[tsgeisel.livejournal.com]

At least you didn't add "In fact, sometimes it's more like Cassandra."

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

Confusion to the press! Yeah! (Like it's that hard these days!)

[albionwood.livejournal.com]

You may also be surprised to find that few people, even educated sorts (OK, engineers, but still), use the word "apoplectic" in ordinary conversation, and are somewhat taken aback when you do.

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

But why should they be taken aback when you say you're sorry?

[finickynarcane.livejournal.com]

This whole thread is so very depressing. What happened to feeling slightly ashamed of your own ignorance and trying to rectify the matter?

Using an alternate derivation

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

Things have been rectified - the reporter in question has her head up her ass.

Re: Using an alternate derivation

[finickynarcane.livejournal.com]

I never thought of "rectify" to mean "insert in rectum".