Pretentious Phrases instead of Plain English words -Piece de resistance

[igr61]

Just thought I would get this one of my chest.
Irritating People that use pretentious foreign words Phrases instead of basic plain English-
"Piece de resistance " instead of saying Masterpiece or the best available.
and that other one usually said by TV presenters and journalists:
"Raison detre " instead of reason for existing

I take it all back! remove my post, don't want thread to go up in a puff of smoke.

Eh, what's wrong with "super"?

I was scrolling down looking for a response from the OP, but I see there is none.

I agree with the vast majority, that none of the words and phrases claimed to be pretentious are, in fact, pretentious. Twitterqueen summed it up well.

So according to Mumsnet we're not allowed any forrin words in our vocabulary, we're not allowed super and we're not allowed uni. Swearing is also moaned about fairly regularly

That's right. Myself actually thinks virtue signalling is a really good expression and accurately describes that is happening.

Very Tinkerbell.

I think some people on the thread don't realise what plain English is (it's not dumbing down for a start). Plain English is essential in many situations without doubt, as so many people have problems with literacy.

That said clear communication completely depends on your audience.

Certain phrases will be pretentious if they are used solely to:
show off the speaker's (self perceived) intelligence
make others feel small because they won't understand
other similar situation were the speaker is acting the twat.

Using them, per se (), isn't pretentious.

'Myself' agrees with you Satsumaeater MN is awash with virtue signalling and it does not mean 'showing off' as someone suggested earlier.

Au contraire.

Every time someone overuses "myself" which seems to happen more and more lately, it reminds me of the scene in Austin Powers when he says "Allow myself to introduce.....myself...."

I've noticed when watching police programmes on tv, they have a propensity for using 'myself' eg 'I must ask you to accompany myself to the station'. It's really irritating.

Irritating People that use pretentious foreign words Phrases instead of basic plain EnglishPiece de resistance " instead of saying Masterpiece or the best available

Do you want vinegar for that chip on your shoulder? We use certain foreign phrases because they are accurate where the translation is not, not all words and phrases translate with the same meaning. Piece de resistance does not mean the same as the best available.

Its not pretentious to use those phrases, its perfectly normal. It's complaining about it that makes you look like a Little Englander who probably doesn't understand them properly and is angered by their own lack of knowledge and crippling inferiority complex.

Sometimes only a foreign world will do when there isn't an English equivalent. Usually German. They are good for concept words.

I do tend to eye roll at “dichotomy” and “paradigm”. There are far less poncy words meaning the same which will do just as well.

Totally agree AsAProfessionalFekko I can think of no English word to replace 'angst' Anxiety or fear don't come close.

I do tend to eye roll at “dichotomy” and “paradigm”. There are far less poncy words meaning the same which will do just as well

And they are?

"poncey" says a lot more about you than whoever is saying paradigm

Serendippitty- please could you give an example for each? I find dichotomy is usually most apposite for what I'm trying to say.

Do we say poncey now

Those words are both quite useful I think

Paradigm - typical example or pattern. Dichotomy - division, split.

Have you just crawled out of a gutter? Those are both perfectly normal (if somewhat common and old fashioned) phrases to use.

@asaprifressionalfekko is right. Some of the most useful (or must crude) Russian words just can't be translated into English. Although I'm not sure that applies to the OP necessarily but it is a but easier to use the French phrases than to use an equivalent English word or phrase perhaps.

We were discussing sweary words at the weekend and trying to decide which language had the best/worst/most inventive. I think Cantonese won.

Yourselfs comprendey voos numerous off the vulgarities that our too the detriment of are hitherto wealthy language.

Myself were hoping to have bought new revelations, but one's self don't have nothing to contribute. One's in full concord with all of whoms.

Fiji has some pretty ripe swear words.

Clear as mud Thehogfather

I agree with stripey about plain English being entirely dependent on your audience. Having a genuinely good and varied grasp of English assists in being clear and understood in my experience. The colleagues I have whose grasp of English is not top notch tend to be the ones whose communications are littered with malapropisms, lengthy words when a shorter one would be better and use of myself and yourself. It’s flouncy and must be terribly confusing to read if that is a weak point

I do tend to pronounce French/German words with a French/German accent, but I have a degree in those languages so it’s kind of automatic