A Warning Against Sesquipedalian Dexterity

Yesterday, I talked about differing views on dumbing down. Personally, I believe the related crime of what I'll call "pratting up" is just as heinous. In both cases, the failings of the writer intrude on the story. If I say a character "has a way with words", that would be sloppy. At best, you'd skim over it, the words therefore being redundant. At worst, you'd stop and think: what does that mean? It's too vague. If I say he "hides behind clever wordplay", you get a much clearer picture about what he does with words and why. If I say he "resorts to sesquipedalian dexterity", you'll probably stop thinking about the story and think about the writer: what a prat, you'll be thinking. The point is: the first and the last destroy the magic, the middle course was best. Dumbing down is bad. Words such as "chillax" should not even make it to the dictionary. Some words owe their existence to snobbery and oneupmanship. The dictionary is where they should stay. Learn them, but for God's sake don't use them.