To think some words don't belong in informal conversation

[Thrif]

There are certain words that, whilst technically correct, make a person sound completely up themselves when used out loud.

Whom is the worst. Whilst is another

I get what you're saying, Scone - certain words and expressions will become (as good as) extinct in time, like "it is I". But I don't think "whom" is a good example of language that will disappear in a generation; it's already hard-wired into a lot of young people (you can see evidence of that on this very thread).

I don't see what's wrong with "whom" or "myself". weird to object to correct usage.

Well, I am arguing against my self-interest in hoping that "whom" bites the dust. I'm a free-lance editor; it is the most common "error" I encounter, and I charge by the hour.

why do people want "whom" to bite the dust? It's useful to distinguish between object and subject.

And assuming that people are speaking a certain way to show off to YOU is arrogant and self-absorbed, and shows a lack of social awareness as well as an insecurity of self.

I didn't assume that was the only reason to use certain language, I said if that was why you were doing it, that shows a level of insecurity/ lack of social awareness.

I can't imagine for one second why anybody would want to show of to me, on a good day I hit average on most counts.

I think people can assume that they are impressing others with a use of complicated language, whether they are impressing them is another matter.

Being mrs average I know that when I arrived at university I was impressed by the way that people spoke around me because I had never encountered people who spoke that way.

I still am impressed by a wide vocabulary if used in a natural way rather than in an attempt to showboat how clever somebody is. Of course it is not always easy to distinguish between the two and I suspect that the judgement is made by your wider knowledge of that person.

And assuming that people are speaking a certain way to show off to YOU is arrogant and self-absorbed, and shows a lack of social awareness as well as an insecurity of self.

I don't think that I am arrogant or self absorbed, I spend a lot of time with animals rather than people so I probably do lack some form of social awareness. I have also spent most of my adult life surrounded by people who were cleverer than me and had a kind of polish that I will never have, so maybe I have see feelings of insecurity.

I'm flummoxed by the argument you proposed

'Doth' is third person, not first

Innit tho

In sooth LaQueen, thou didst extemporize most prettily. Take thou these flowers and this wine for thy fair words

Ha ha - business speak is so much more grating than deliberately pompous overuse of complex and often patronising language.

My exdh actually once declared upon seeing the mess the wardrobe was in 'we need to revisit this wardrobe.'

DIVORCE

Psst!

Your typing betrayed you, my fair lady, and thou didst fuck up thy reflexive.

Homer d'oh

On a more practical level though. It is nice to be able to converse (oh yes) in a grammatically correct manner. But only with like minded people. Everyone else thinks you're a tit.

Running pubs meant talking to police, lawyers, binmen, car salesmen, all within the same ten minutes. Awright mate, whatyeravin'- not the correct thing to say to the policeman. Equally, good afternoon, what can I serve you? Now the binman thinks you're up yourself.

Horses for courses.

Yep, totes the finest hippocras Aldi can sell

I love the English language, inhaled a lot of (mainly 19thC) literature at a fairly young age, and so have a decent vocabulary which I enjoy using, to appropriate people in the right context. I

I have a few friends who are also that way inclined, and I admit to really enjoying conversations with them, in the course of which we have great fun throwing around lots of words which we don't usually get a chance to use. 'Long' words often have a very specific meaning, so if they most accurately convey my meaning, why wouldn't I use them? (as long as I knew my audience would understand them).

And yes, I would/do use 'whom' and 'whilst', but not 'whence' or 'thus'