lexiphanicism

The use of pretentious words, language, or style.

Judge Bruce M. Selya, this week's guest Wordsmith, wrote eloquently about his attempts to introduce more interesting language into the courtroom. A touch of lexiphanicism, he believes, would be a good thing :

"Judges, by nature and by training, rarely tend to be free spirits, and I have encountered from time to time an undercurrent of anti-lexiphanicism. But like Job, I persevere. Language is the lifeblood of our culture, and it would be a shame not to use it to its fullest."

Link: A.Word.A.Day -- aposematic

Posted July 17, 2007.

See our Word Overheard blog to see interesting uses of strange words.