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]