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

The well-used Anglo-Saxon phrase Oh do fuck off springs to mind, vis à vis the OP's suggestion.

Threads like this always make me a bit self conscious. I have very minor language processing issues (word recall). Sometimes I phrase things overly formally or make technically correct but unconventional word choices because I can’t find the more common word quickly enough.

Not everyone who speaks differently is being pretentious.

None of th ese are pretentious, but what annoys me is when people write them incorrectly. Saw a status recently on th "Was just thinking about the cat and Walla he just turned up". It took me a good while to realise is was supposed to be voila . The same with someone who likes her veg "all danty".

I do agree with previous posters that context is key. Some people do use long words/foreign phrases in order to show off - but it is the showing off that is a bit pretentious, not the vehicle used for the showing off - in this case, the language.

I use long words/foreign phrases/complex language as a matter of habit - I read a lot, and that has seeped into my vocabulary and become the norm for me. I wouldn't dream of doing it to intimidate someone else, or to make myself look clever - I just love the richness and music of language - and generally speaking, people seem to understand what I am getting at.

@SDTGisanevilwolefgenius - Yes I completely agree. I've always read lots, and love using different words and phrases. I do understand the need for Plaing English in certain communications, but I resent being forced down to a lower denomination for fear of being thought pretentious.

As an aside, I knew you as a wolef, under a different name