Fundamentally, you know a lot about a little and a little about a lot, so you can speak somewhat intelligently about almost any subject. When most people hear a word that they do not know, they skip over it and end up losing a little of the meaning of what they are reading or hearing. To the contrary, I see the word as a possible gem to better describe something. I am quick to look it up and contemplate the context in which it was used. I then try to find a way to apply it in my own communications. Do not use “big words” just to use them. I use them to better describe a concept or to sell an idea. I see vocabulary as a toolbox or a painter’s pallet. The more hues, shades, tints and tones I have, the better and more impactful picture I can paint. So I have these tools in my toolbox when needed or these colors on my pallet for when I want to use them to paint a more vivid picture. The better I can communicate, the more effective I am at reaching the listener or reader and getting their mind to “spark.” Words stimulate thought and affect perception. I am trying to be more expressive to communicate a more finely tuned meaning, and help the recipient of my message achieve a more clear understanding of what I am saying. Oddly enough, as skilled as I am at communicating and expanding my vocabulary, I am not the most proficient speller. The concept of what I am attempting to express or communicate is so important to me that I don’t pay attention to spelling and often misspell the words I am using. Thank God for spell check! I need to use it more often. There is also the issue of typing text with a small keyboard while having fat thumbs! Combine the two issues and sometimes I can’t read what I wrote. Then the vocabulary and effective communication go out the window. Notice that I didn’t use any stimulating vocabulary in this answer! Keeping the message simple and on point is always the goal — using not big words for vocabulary’s sake. J J