For word lovers who (like to) think they know everything?

Question

(Myself included)

How do you feel when someone uses a word you actually DON'T know?

I once felt extremely silly when asked by a 5 year old if a particular set of crystal doors were lalique.

I had no idea what lalique was, had never heard of it and I was 24 at the time!!!

How did you feel about it?
Did you admit not knowing or did you come clean?

Answer 1

I just ask them ,define lalique???

Answer 2

I would not admit I didn't know what a word was to a 5 year old. If a 5 year old asked me that question, I would just say, "Only the best in a place like this. Those doors are so cool!!!" If an adult used a word that I didn't know, it would depend on the importance of the relevance to the topic. If it was unimportant and the person was just blabbering and trying to use big words to sound impressive, I would not come clean, no way! I might make up a word and see if they bluff knowing the meaning. If they asked me the meaning, I would give them a very believable sounding indepth explanation as to what my fake word meant. However, if it was a situation of importance and you are unable to determine what the person is asking or saying by the rest of the question or sentence, I would ask them to elaborate. Then, they usually rephrase the same remark in a way that you can figure it out. To them, you just come across as being interested in what they are saying. If it is a friend or a family member, I would say, "Where did you come up with that word?? What the heck are you trying to say?? Have you been reading the dictionary again?"

Answer 3

I confess. Sometimes I try to puzzle things out, but it don't always work. The other day "conflate" came up and I didn't know the exact meaning. I was trying to put con=with together with flate as the root of inflate, but "with blowing up" didn't make any sense in context, so I had to ask. I rather learn something new than save face.

Answer 4

I have many kids around and they always look up words and ask me what this word or that word means. I tell them and they stomp their little foot. If they have a word or phrase I don't know I always tell them I don't know or I have never heard of that lets see what it means and I ook it up with them. It is a way to show them not everyone knows everything and they learn too.

Answer 5

I look it up and front like I know it. Or avoid it if it's in a real life conversation. Or I simply move past it or become jaded and leave the conversation. That was the past but usually I'll keep it in mind and go look it up at a later time when i'm near resource material.

Answer 6

I usually say 'What do you mean by that', holding my own, or I will come clean and say something like 'Wow, that's a big word for someone your age', 'Who taught you that word', or something just as glib.

If I have a clue I'll ponder by stroking my beard then slowly saying 'Hmm... ' and either admitting or faking it.

It all comes down to your audience.

God Bless!


Jaime

Answer 7

If someone uses a word that I don't know the meaning of, I look it up in the dictionary, or I ask them what it means. And I don't feel stupid about it. It would be stupid not to educate myself.

Answer 8

I like to think I know quite a lot (it makes me feel good so what the harm in a little delusion now and then!). I would probably smile knowingly and look it up ASAP! Bluff is my middle name...;

Answer 9

in all honesty, I didn't know what it meant when I read your question so I consulted Webster and he didn't know either so perhaps it's a foreign word unique to the world of crystal arts

Answer 10

In my opinion, it makes much more sense to admit you don't know than to try to make something up -especially to kids!
You don't have to say you don't know, you can just ask them - what does that word mean? It doesn't indicate to them that you don't know, only that you want to know if THEY know!
BTW what DOES lalique mean? lol

Answer 11

i would ask the person who asked me a question to explain what it meant. nothing wrong in admitting you learned a new word at any age!