If you are a fan of Harlan Coben’s Myron Bolitar series, you will recognize the name Windsor Horne Lockwood III, affectionately known as Win.
Here is how Win is described in the series, courtesy of Wikipedia:
Win’s hair is described as blond, perfect length, parted on the right side. His features are classical patrician, almost too handsome, like something crafted in porcelain. His attire is always thoroughbred prep—pink shirts, polo shirts, monogrammed shirts, khaki pants, golf pants, white bucks (Memorial Day to Labor Day), or wing tips (Labor Day to Memorial Day) on his feet. He is even said to have a strange accent, one that did not originate from any particular geographical location as much as from his prep school, Exeter. He is an excellent golfer, with a three handicap; he is a fifth-generation member of Merion Golf Club in Philadelphia; and a third-generation member at Pine Valley in southern New Jersey. He has a perennial golf tan, one of those where the color could be found only in the arms (short-sleeve shirts) and a V-shape in the neck (open alligator shirt). It is also said that Win’s skin never gets tanned—instead his skin burns. People are said to hate him on sight for his looks and money.
But beneath that preppy look is a bit of a crazed lethal weapon. Here is some additional info about Win:
Although described as having a slight frame, Win is a sixth-degree black belt holder in Tae Kwon Do, which is the highest ranking in the United States. Thus, enemies misjudge him at their own peril. He has been studying Tae Kwon Do since the age of five, and introduced Myron to Tae Kwon Do in college. Win brought an instructor, Master Kwan, from Korea fourteen years prior to the first novel to teach him Tae Kwon Do. Throughout the books it is made clear that along with being one of the world’s best hand-to-hand fighters Win is also proficient with a wide variety of weapons, at following people unseen, breaking and entering, interrogation and intimidation, marksmanship and well connected with intelligence agencies. Win and Myron worked for the FBI in an undisclosed manner prior to the start of the series.
So why I am talking about Win?
Well, one of Win’s favorite words to use is articulate. When he answers the phone he does not say hello, he simply says “articulate”.
As it turns out, Harlan Coben may have been onto something in having Win use the word articulate.
In a poll of more than 1,900 people, commissioned by Preply, 56 percent assume that someone with a complex vocabulary is very smart. Nearly four in five (78%) add that using big words makes someone seem even smarter than they might be.
Having a large vocabulary, according to Preply, will enable someone to communicate effectively with a wide array of individuals from various backgrounds and interests.
Here are some other takeaways from the study:
- 58 percent of adults use words they don’t know the meaning of just to appear smarter
- 43 percent of respondents assume that people who use overly complex language are just trying to sound smarter than they really are
- 63 percent say they’ve used complex words to impress a potential partner
- 46 percent say it’s a dating dealbreaker if someone unnecessarily uses too many big words.
- 25 percent admit they’re less likely to trust someone using big words in a conversation.
The survey also created three lists of top 20 words.
The first list identifies which words make someone sound smarter. Here is the list:
The second list contained words that people use to sound smarter:
and finally, the last list was what words make a person sound pretentious:
As you can see, the word articulate is prominent on all three lists.
It seems like it was the perfect word to be associated with Win.
The use of the word made him sound smarter, it was a way to make for Win to think he was smarter, and it was a way to make Win appear pretentious. Who knew one word could convey such a variety of meanings?
If I wanted to show off my vocabulary skills, I could create a paragraph that contained all the words in the above three lists.
But why would I want to do that? It would probably come off as pretentious. Plus, it would probably take me half a day to come up with that one paragraph. And even then I’m not sure I could pull it off.
And besides, I don’t have the time for that; I’m too busy working on easy Sudokus…
P.S. If you’ve never read the Myron Bolitar mystery series from Harlan Coben, I highly recommend it. The books are real page-turners, and there’s a good dose of humor sprinkled throughout…
*image from The Crime Warp
Hmmm…so should I try to fit all the words from your first list into one of my stories?
Maybe I should have Mason and Tippner use them so they can sound smart. And maybe Tink can use the word articulate at the North Pole and impress Santa. 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
I concur that you should attempt such a story. just don’t make any faux pas…
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL! We shall see…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll keep my eye out for it…
LikeLike
Get your scrabble board out again.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I did. Well…Arthur did. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
look forward to reading it!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
I like how 58% of people use fancy words that they don’t understand, but only 43% think other people do it.
LikeLiked by 3 people
nobody said we were a logical people…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Somebody might have, but they were wrong.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such portentous folderol, this rumination on semantics. I don’t buy it for a zeptosecond. Polysyllabic vocabularies are deployed to fortify the bafflegab required to forfend the possibility of anybody apprehending exactly what it is you’re attempting to communicate.
LikeLiked by 5 people
I knew you would come up with quite the paragraph in a zeptosecond.
“Bafflegab”? 😂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for your confidence. I finished in a trice, didn’t I? I feel absolutely gobsmacked.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should feel gobsmacked, you were impeccable with your articulation. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
How perspicacious of you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Now I better write my post before the clock strikes 12.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Do you fear transforming into a calabash at the perpendicular hour?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am going to say Yes, … I think.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Affirmative, eh? Alright, then return to your scrivening, posthaste.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You and Joy…
LikeLiked by 4 people
🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
She always starts it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ummm…..Excuse me, you doolally!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You weren’t supposed to read that comment.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Too late, I see all! 😛(well I like to tell myself that. I know there are comments that I miss. )
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hmm. I’ll try to be sneakier next time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, yeah, right!
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLike
it is fun to read the back and forth between them…
LikeLiked by 2 people
So what is a calabash because I am too tired to look it up. LOL!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s a species of gourd. I’m utilizing the term liberally, in reference to a pumpkin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My guess was right. I am so smart. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yep. You and your pumpkin head.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha smartie!
LikeLiked by 2 people
sounds like a horror movie…
LikeLiked by 1 person
If we only knew what was going on inside that pumpkin head, I’m sure we’d feel horrified.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Smartass!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I wonder if the band Smashing Pumpkins got the idea for their name from watching her smack her head so often…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Could be. Although your pumpkin head would have to be rotten before you could smash it with one hand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
just saying… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
and not at all pretentious 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I kept it simple with the word pumpkin…
LikeLiked by 2 people
But calabash sounds so much fancier.
LikeLiked by 2 people
agreed. and not at all pretentious… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
No. Tut-tut.
LikeLiked by 2 people
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
spit spot..
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like that term.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess she hoped to put the kibosh on that happening…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I prefer shish kabobs, myself.
LikeLiked by 2 people
no meat, of course…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not in your case.
LikeLiked by 2 people
will your golden carriage turn into a pumpkin?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! No, that would make things difficult!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
I thought this post would be right up your alley…
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is right up my alley. I like to mug people, with weird words.
LikeLiked by 2 people
or knock them over with a bowling ball…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Now that’s gutter talk.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Groan!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I tried to spare you, but that’s just the way it strikes me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Help!
LikeLiked by 1 person
oops, we both had the same thought, sort of…
now I feel like I’m in good company…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You must have been on a bowling team at one time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes. part of my glory days back in high school…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here. I was on a bowling team in my senior year, when I lived in upstate New York. Bowling was a popular pastime up there. They even watched it on TV.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I remember Saturday afternoons growing up and watching bowling on ABC with Chris Schenkel followed by Wide World of Sports with Jim McKay. There has never been a better three hour stretch on TV…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I remember Earl the Pearl Anthony, the greatest bowler of all time. Seemed everyone cheered for him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
he did seem like a good guy. I was a fan of Dick Weber, and then his son as well. And Johnny Petraglia was a star for a while…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Earl the Pearl is the only one I remember. Probably due to the catchy name. Yeah, he was a very clean cut, all-American guy, that any redneck bowler could admire.
LikeLiked by 1 person
and I think he was a lefty…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, I thought he was a Republican.
LikeLike
he was unique in that he was a lefty Republican…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe that’s why he was so good at picking up a 7-10 split.
LikeLiked by 1 person
using two balls helped as well…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just checked Google Maps. Apparently, you traveled 103 miles before realizing you were going in the wrong direction. I think you take the cake.
LikeLiked by 2 people
?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoops, I meant to put that comment in Carolyn’s blog. The sad part is, I was criticizing her poor sense of direction. Please don’t let her know about this.
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂 I’m just happy to know I’m not the only one who does this…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Maybe we can use our age as an excuse.
LikeLiked by 2 people
👍
LikeLiked by 2 people
Just because you are are getting ancient, its not an excuse! LOL!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pffft!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I use the excuse all the time…
LikeLike
Ahh! Nope, I think you are the winner now! At least my comments go on the right blog, doolally!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Move right along, ma’am, there’s nothing to see here . . .
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh I think this was the perfect thing to see after the punfest you and Jason had on my blog this morning. 😝
LikeLiked by 2 people
Are you having pun at my expense?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nooo….don’t pop my balloon!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I said “pun,” not “pin.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Haha!”
LikeLiked by 2 people
nor pen…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nor pain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
do you keep air-filled balloons around your house?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! No.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
those punfests are the best!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙄
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
ummm… I could debate that. My Dad used to watch that on Sundays. That’s almost as bad as watching golf!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoy watching golf. But Wide World of Sports was an all-time classic show…
LikeLiked by 1 person
he won’t spare us from his puns…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks like you aren’t sparing us either!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I usually strike out when I try to use a pun…
LikeLike
I usually like to strike up a conversaton with gutter talk…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Does that cause you to strike out a lot?
LikeLiked by 2 people
the other person usually will split pretty quickly…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well hopefully you get another chance to pick her up.
LikeLiked by 2 people
maybe I can impress her by juggling three bowling balls…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think anyone would be impressed with that. I might be able to juggle three beach balls.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m stretching the truth a bit. I could juggle one bowling ball and two lacrosse balls..
three beach balls could be tough…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Right. Well, it’s your hernia.
LikeLiked by 2 people
👍
LikeLiked by 2 people
nice way to get articulation in there!
LikeLike
as you should, I think…
LikeLiked by 1 person
he does have a way with the English language!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like Carolyn noted, I knew you would be fully capable of creating a paragraph that contained many words I have no idea what they mean. I’m impressed…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m hoping you’ll think I’m smart. Or at least pretentious.
LikeLiked by 2 people
He was an interesting character. I would answer my phone ‘pronto’ but it would create a conundrum as it’s not got the same meaning in English as Italian.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had to lok up what it means in Italian; yes, that could cause some confusion…
LikeLike
In my experience, the syllable count of a word is not as important as whether the person speaking pronounces it correctly. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
agreed; if you can’t pronunce a word, you shouldn’t be using it…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is this an Infomercial to learn how to appear smarter? But that’s not all…
LikeLiked by 2 people
and I gave you three lists for the price of one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia so I never use big words to appear smart. 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
at first I thought that mean a a fear of hippos; good thing I looked it up! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hippos are to be feared. They are the deadliest creature for humans in Africa after the mosquito.
LikeLiked by 1 person
what a strange dichotomy in size between the two most dangerous animals in Africa…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet he’s good at crosswords!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m sure he is; he’s good at everything 🙂
LikeLike
I don’t see the knowledge or use of an extensive vocabulary as being intelligent or pretentious. I see it as simply being well read. But that comes from a guy who uses all the words on these lists all the time. I think I am just trying to convince myself I am less pretentious than I am.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I noticed you didn’t use any of those fancy words in this comment… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
i’m endlessly fascinated by word play and word usage in most any form, so this post was really interesting to me, jim. i’d say any of the words, if used correctly, would not be pretentious, it’s more in the delivery. p.s. keep going on the easy level of the sudoku until you start to naturally understand the patterns and then you’ll roll right into the medium level in no time. (from your puzzle coach who has faith in you )
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree; if it’s the right word to use, you should use it.
I did download a Sudoku app, and the easy ones there were mucheasier; in fact I moved up to the medium, and the two that I did there weren’t too bad either. Maybe it was just the book I bought 🙂 I’ll keep plugging away!
LikeLiked by 1 person
i have confidence in you, jim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Beth!
LikeLike
I definitely use the word articulate so I might be all of the above. Wouldn’t the where, when, and how make the user pretentious or not? Now I am deliberately trying to use small words. Damn.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree; if it is the right word to use, a person should use it.
I also read that using curse words is a sign of intelligence… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
No f%$!@#$g way! Win!
LikeLiked by 1 person
you must be a genius… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
i think I f@#$#@g am!
LikeLiked by 2 people
your intelligence is just exploding today! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lots of big words there! I really should expand my vocabulary both written and oral. I am told that I speak like an Iowan. Not sure that’s a compliment but since I still live in Iowa I guess it works!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I would take that as a compliment. I think it’s good to speak like where you live. I try to stay away from big words, mainly because I don’t know many…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why thanks!!! Although we are moving to North Carolina in a couple years….wonder how Iowan works with a drawl?
LikeLike
you’ll be a breath of fresh air and midwestern charm…
LikeLiked by 1 person
So looking at these lists, I see that I use a lot of ‘big’ words. I think this stems from my hobby as a writer and always trying to use a different word than I used in the last paragraph. My brain doesn’t work fast enough to assess if a word will make me sound smarter in the middle of a conversation, I just use which ever word is available. In truth, I often pause mid sentence searching for *any* word that might fit… which I assume makes me seem pretty stupid. In fact I just did this pause thing in a meeting for way too long. I think people were worried about me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know that feeling all too well It happens occasionally when I am teaching. It doesn’t help that there are 30 students staring at me while I try to come up with the word I want to use. Usually I’ll just come up with a generic word like “thing”…
LikeLike
I’ve read all of the Myron Bolitar books and quite a few of Coben’s other novels. He is one of my favourite authors, and I find the way he articulates his stories worthy of adulation. So do Netflix, judging by the number of adaptations of his books you can find there. Win is a great character, now with a novel all of his own.
LikeLiked by 2 people
He is one of my favorite authors as well, and I think I’ve read everything he has written. He certainly has been busy on Netflix. I found some of those series better than others.
by the way; dang you for telling me about that Microsoft Sudoku; I can’t stop playing it!
LikeLike
I’ve still got a few to go. I bought one today as it was an Amazon special at 99p – I don’t normally pay much more than that for Kindle books!
I thought you’d like that app – so much easier than pen and paper, I think…
LikeLiked by 1 person
what a great deal for a Coben book – enjoy.
And it is much easier than paper and pencil!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just checked my Kindle app. I have 28 of his books, all bought over the past 10 years or so for that price. I just keep an eye on their promotions.
It is easier, isn’t it. But don’t blame me when your wife asks why you’ve stopped using the book she gave you 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to keep an eye out for bargains like that. I remember I bought many of his books at used book stores, and then I was able to sell them back, so that did not cost me too much either. I also borrowed a few from our local library.
and my wife just old me that she had bought the Sudoku book at a dollar store, and so the quality may not be the highest 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I prefer owning to borrowing, but only if I can get them cheap.
Good to know your wife shops at all the best places for your gifts 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I prefer owning as well…
And I bought her a Ferrari…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, right! A Barbie Ferrari?
LikeLike
you’re on to me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know a good song about one of those. I’ll try to work it into a post – an idea is forming…
LikeLiked by 1 person
ok, I’ll see if I can pick it out when you write about it.
I had a thought for music post – those times when the B side of a single ended up more popular than the A side. I don’t know if it’s ever happened, and even if it did, if the record company might have just reversed what they called the A vs B side…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It wouldn’t be difficult: it’s in the song title!
That’s a good thought. I’ve found several like that while I’ve been doing mine, but slightly complicated by the different ways the US and UK recognise chart placings for singles. Could be a good one to try, though 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like when things are obvious.
And I’ll probably try to look for the most well-known example, at least to me, of when the b-side became the bigger hit…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You wouldn’t miss this one!
I just Googled it. There are some biggies for you to choose from.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ok, good to know! and feel free to write about the A vs B thing yourself – you’ll do a much better job on it than I will!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, but I’m not so sure of that. It’s certainly an idea worth taking up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like Brad, I use all those words. I like “pretentious” writings better than the ones that contain only a couple of all purpose adjectives to describe everything. Language is beautiful!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m still stuck down at the “See Judy run. Run Judy run.” level.
LikeLike
Judy’s still got the runs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
so that’s why Judy was always running…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Again, I have many thoughts! lol
I don’t think I’ve read any of his books but some are actually on my TBR list and I haven’t gotten to so I am so glad you recommended this series of his bc now I can just go straight to those… admittedly, I do use a thesaurus when I write.. only because when I write, words will pop into my head that seem like they fit but I won’t actually 100% know the definition of them and I worry about using a word incorrectly and I like to find the perfect word to fit the sentence/context/emotion I am trying to convey so I find it most helpful! And I find I can usually tell apart those who are actually intelligent by their word choices vs. those who are purposely TRYING to sound smart.. does that make sense?! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like reading a series, especially if you like the main characters. you feel like you really know them after a ccouple of books. And I like that idea of using a thesaurus to help with finding just the right word. and I get exactly what you are saying. two people coulduse the same word, yet one could come off pretentious, the othe as intelligent…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t fully know the meaning of nearly half the words. I wonder if that’s a good thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with you. I think at this point in my life, I’m good with the number of words I know, and don’t need to add some of these words to my vocab…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, going over the list again, I can drop the ‘don’t fully know’ to a quarter of the list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that seems pretty good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Harlan Coben rarely disappoints.
As far as using fancy words – I often struggle to communicate my ideas to certain people because I forget that they don’t know what is inside my hat and why I’ve arrived at x. You have to interact with me on a regular basis to better understand the way I think and why I say the things I say. So, since I already have trouble with that, I don’t like adding more to the confusion by using fancy words. Plus, I don’t really see the reason why you would use those on purpose. I use a word to learn it or because I need a synonym in my writing. Other than that, nah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
you describe my approach to those words perfectly. I’m a big fan of keeping things simple…
and Harlan is the best…
LikeLiked by 1 person
This might be related to an as yet unwritten Bloganuary post on the subject of incorrect assumptions people make about me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
sometimes I think it would be nice to know what people really think of us…
LikeLiked by 1 person