Words, words, words

[vettecat]

I spent a fair chunk of time tonight on the phone with a tech support guy at Comcast, trying to resolve a connection problem. (It's working now, obviously.) At one point in the conversation, after he'd told me to change a computer setting, I said, "Okay, it seems to have reacclimated." He said, "What?" I repeated myself, and he asked me to define "reacclimated." Then he asked me to spell it. Then he got all excited about having learned a new word, and started throwing it into the conversation at random moments. Which was amusing, but... I didn't think that was such an obscure word. What do you think? Was he out of touch, or have I just been spoiled by having intelligent and well-read friends?

Comments

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

I'd say 75% the latter.

Which isn't to say, go out of your way to find folks who don't have that sort of intimate acquaintance with diverse vocabulary. It's NICE to be able to speak freely and expect to be understood.

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. I enjoy the fact that I don't often feel the need to search for alternative words.