Then they should refine their speech until it's more intelligible.

If someone is both simple, and speaks simply, then I am inclined to crush them with verbosity. The ability to use a wide variety of words, in various modes, and to implement them correctly, is among the recognised indicators of intelligence.

I have a good vocabulary, but only a pretentious clown uses esoteric words simply to use them. Again, the point of speech is to be understood, that's it. If your audience doesn't understand you, then you're probably bad at explaining things (ignoring inherently difficult topics like math). I tend to think someone who brags about "crushing people with vocabulary" must have a massively inflated opinion of themselves. I strongly admire great writing and expressiveness. With this comes not only a large vocabulary but also knowing when such words are appropriate, and the latter is often lost. And no, using a wide variety of words is not a "recognised indicator of intelligence". By the way, the word is [i]verbosity[/i] (lol), and it's something to be abhorred. [quote]The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do - Jefferson (allegedly)[/quote]

I said verbosity. And no it isn't, it's the spice of life. If I'm reading something that's too simply written I get bored by the lack of depth. I need something to chew, not some grey and literal exposition. Facts and truth can be couched in flowery bouquets of language, and sometimes that is the only way they can be understood in their truest sense. To quote Mr Soren Kierkegaard: "The task must be made difficult, for only the difficult inspires the noble-hearted."

[quote]I said verbosity.[/quote] That's cute, but I saw it before the edit. I'm not using clarity as a synonym for simply; it's just that too often do I see people trade clarity for verbosity, which is always a downgrade. There are situations that call for more complex speech -- indeed, most of the words on [url=http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/100_most_beautiful_words.html]this[/url] list would be deemed bombastic, though I love their sound -- but one should never use words simply because they're difficult or abstract. Also, I couldn't disagree more with that quote. Making something artificially difficult is never a good idea, though I would agree that one can also try and fail spectacularly at making something too simple: [quote]"There is always an easy solution to every human problem--neat, plausible, and wrong." - H. L. Mencken[/quote]

[quote][quote]I said verbosity.[/quote] That's cute, but I saw it before the edit.[/quote]I edited it of my own accord before you replied. But I don't see that it has any bearing on this discussion. I'm supposed to be the verbose asshole here, but then how do we account for you? I don't look down on 'artificial difficulty', simply because if I did, I couldn't justify partaking of any abstraction whose domain lay outside of eating, shitting and sleeping.

Let's just say that it's annoying when people use way more words than they have to simply for the purpose of looking smart.

Alright, I'll agree with that. I don't like fake people. But if it's purely for entertainment or practicality, I subscribe.