Someone gets all bent out of shape when I use words he considers “archaic” or “obscure.”  He thinks I’m using them to make myself sound smart.  (His once-and-future boss has accused me of something similar; maybe this is the newsroom equivalent of jock rules…I’ll have to think on that.)  If that’s my reason it’s a subconscious one; I generally use whatever word I feel is most appropriate or efficient.  It is asserted that I should use what is most conversational, regardless of its awkwardness or succinctness (I expect “succinctness” is one of those words, too, but I’ll have to wait for the ruling).

Anyway, there have been several of these words and I can’t remember them all, so I’m going to start compiling a list here for quick and easy reference.  I’ll also include the suggested substitute, when provided, in parentheses.

• aggregator
• efficacy (“effectiveness”)
• the nonce (“now”–OK, I admit that one is a little over the top!)
• serendipity
• relo (as in “relo’d”)
• churlish (new equivalent: “Greggy”…inside joke)
• dubious (“questionable”–this is an UNOFFICIAL entry from a 3rd party and is and unsanctioned by the official referee)
• unsurety (“indecision, uncertainty, confusion”)