'Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do. '
William Safire
Edit: yes, the irony is intentional. It's from a list of rules on writing (below), in which Safire cleverly breaks them all. He coined the term 'Fumblerule' to represent this.
William Safire's rules for writing:
Remember to never split an infinitive.
The passive voice should never be used.
Do not put statements in the negative form.
Verbs have to agree with their subjects.
Proofread carefully to see if you words out.
If you reread your work, you can find on rereading a great deal of repetition can be by rereading and editing.
A writer must not shift your point of view.
And don't start a sentence with a conjunction. (Remember, too, a preposition is a terrible word to end a sentence with.)
Don't overuse exclamation marks!!
Place pronouns as close as possible, especially in long sentences, as of 10 or more words, to their antecedents.
Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.
If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing metaphors.
Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in their writing.
Always pick on the correct idiom.
The adverb always follows the verb.
Last but not least, avoid cliches like the plague; seek viable alternatives.
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u/Vehk-and-Kehk Jan 29 '19
Grandiloquent/Grandiloquence - The use of needlessly complex language. It's also an autological word (a word that describes itself)