Is there an English word meaning "the use of uncommon words"?

Question

Is there an English word meaning "the use of uncommon words" or similar?

RegDwigнt · Answer 1 · 2010-11-02T20:19:59.070

18

It depends on what you mean by "uncommon". Lexiphanicism is the use of excessive terminology, while patavinity is the use of local or provincial words.

(I hope you are not just looking for slang or jargon.)

edited Nov 02 '10 at 20:19

answered Nov 02 '10 at 20:01

RegDwigнt

97,231

Thank you, thank you for telling me about lexiphanicism. What a beautiful word. I'll keep it on my desktop, and wait for an opportunity to use it. – Pitarou Oct 23 '12 at 10:42

score 8 · Answer 2 · edited Jan 09 '13 at 16:12

8

In the category of similar words, there's sesquipedalian, meaning prone to using long words.

edited Jan 09 '13 at 16:12

RegDwigнt

97,231

answered Nov 02 '10 at 20:51

Henry

3,178

score 4 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 02 '10 at 22:01

4

If the uncommon words are being used specifically to obscure meaning, then "obfuscation" might apply.

answered Nov 02 '10 at 22:01

Marthaª

32,910

Obfuscation could be achieved with uncommon use of common words as well. – Kris Oct 23 '12 at 10:20

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered May 21 '11 at 16:54

1

Obscurantist is related to the 'obfuscation' direction of your question.

answered May 21 '11 at 16:54

Mitch

71,423

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered May 21 '11 at 06:19

Depending on how and why you want to use it, logorrhea (also spelled logorrhoea) might do the trick. It doesn't specifically mean using uncommon words but either a. excessive verbosity generally or b. a psychological disorder resulting in incoherent talkativeness.

As an added bonus it conjures up a little hint of a certain other word ending -rrhea.

score 0 · Answer 6 · answered Mar 16 '16 at 18:38

0

Perhaps you mean using uncommon words in a pompous way: pontification. To express your opinion in a pompous or dogmatic way.

answered Mar 16 '16 at 18:38

MrCrossing

9

Welcome to English Language & Usage! This answer would be improved by citing an external source with the definition of this word. – SuperBiasedMan Mar 16 '16 at 19:14

score 0 · Answer 7 · answered May 22 '17 at 21:40

The prior answers appertain to the question more precisely, but I think in the right context, a word such as "ponderous," meaning laborious, dull, and excessively detailed, might be suitable; It also carries a more literary connotation than loquacious or garrulous, which describe speaking with superabundant wordiness, droning on, or talking in a roundabout manner.

score 0 · Answer 8 · edited Jan 16 '13 at 19:01

0

If you mean use of words or meanings that are outdated, you might be looking for archaic.

edited Jan 16 '13 at 19:01

RegDwigнt

97,231

answered Dec 21 '10 at 21:57

Jeff

1,148

score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Oct 23 '12 at 10:36

Esoteric Writing

Esoteric (merriam-webster)
1 a : designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone
a body of esoteric legal doctrine — B. N. Cardozo
b : requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group
esoteric terminology;
broadly : difficult to understand esoteric subjects

esoteric (wiktionary)
1. Understood only by a chosen few or an enlightened inner circle.
The writing in this manual is very esoteric; I need a degree in engineering just to understand it!

Is there an English word meaning "the use of uncommon words"?

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