i like to think I've got a good vocabulary.
that being said, I also notice when people are saying (or writing) big words just to "sound smart". my bro's site
www.mentalmagma.com (shameless plug) is FULL of his buddies who try and one-up the others continually. gets boring, tired.
THAT being said, there are words that convey the EXACT meaning of what you're trying to say. my teen's mom would accuse my mom of "using big words to make her feel dumb" when really my mom just is an insatiable reader with a great vocab. she still says stuff to me I've no idea what she means.
shally out.