Is there a compromise between "intellectual" and "pretentious"?

[Sethomas]

Making an accusation of pretension is pretentious. If you know what "pretentious" means, you're pretentious.

Actually, the general subject of this thread is something that interests me a lot because of different biomes where I've found myself. My annoyance is that very often the term "pretentious" will get thrown out to claim a moral victory over someone who is simply smarter or merely more articulate than the plaintiff. If someone's level of conversation is below yours, they're either a moron or philistine. If it's above yours, they're obviously pretentious. It's exactly like the George Carlin line, "Ever notice that everyone who drives slower than you is a moron and everyone who drives faster than you is a maniac?"

[Big McLargehuge]

hey seth, hows the crazy goin?

[DeadKennedys]

Originally Posted by Sethomas

If someone's level of conversation is below yours, they're either a moron or philistine. If it's above yours, they're obviously pretentious. It's exactly like the George Carlin line, "Ever notice that everyone who drives slower than you is a moron and everyone who drives faster than you is a maniac?"

Very good point. But generally, people don't feel the need to degrade the English language with newspeak like "breakfasting". I wouldn't say their level of conversation is higher - they just really want to be noticed. "God please think I'm indy I'm trying so hard"

I can listen to scientists and other experts talking and not get annoyed, even if their conversation level is higher than mine. But when they purposely use their stupid jargon to act superior, I lose interest.

[Jeanette X]

Originally Posted by Sethomas

Making an accusation of pretension is pretentious. If you know what "pretentious" means, you're pretentious.

Actually, the general subject of this thread is something that interests me a lot because of different biomes where I've found myself. My annoyance is that very often the term "pretentious" will get thrown out to claim a moral victory over someone who is simply smarter or merely more articulate than the plaintiff. If someone's level of conversation is below yours, they're either a moron or philistine. If it's above yours, they're obviously pretentious. It's exactly like the George Carlin line, "Ever notice that everyone who drives slower than you is a moron and everyone who drives faster than you is a maniac?"

Methinks you doth protest too much.