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�In general, write in plain English. Although you should try to build a rich vocabulary, strive to use it precisely, not just to show it off,� Gerald J. Schiffhorst and John E. Schell: �The Shoot Handbook for Writers�. �Pomposity�, �flowery diction�, �over-writing�, �fine writing� are just some of the terms used to describe the common mistake of using big, unfamiliar words where more simple, familiar ones would be most appropriate to the subject and the audience. Sometimes, we may have to use �jargon�, and �jargon� refers to the technical expressions that grow up in most fields. It is a specialist language used by a particular group, profession, or culture, especially when the words and phrases are not understood or used by other people. Of course, �jargon� has also a derogatory definition, meaning pretentious or meaningless language. For example, in the field of education, we have the following educational jargons: �a learning facilitator� which represents �a teacher�; �a learning resource centre� for �a library�; �economically deprived persons� for � poor persons�; �experiential approach� for �learning by experience�. Sometimes, the words are chosen for their �euphemism�, that is, the use of a mild or indirect expression instead of one that is harsh or unpleasant. For example, �people who are mentally challenged� for �mad people or imbeciles or idiots�; �people who are physically challenged� for �lame persons�. However, there are times words are chosen only to give �a technical tinge� to �non-technical writing�. For example: �We shall try to ameliorate the situation� for �we shall try to improve the situation�. Some people even write (wrongly): �We shall try to ameliorate the problem�. �We have to endeavour to reach you� for �We have to try to reach you�. �This is referred for your perusal� for �This is referred for your study� (OR �� for you to read�). �The painting was exhibited in the hall� for �The painting was shown in the hall�. �You may initiate action� for �You may start action�. �You should utilize your spare time properly� for �you should use your spare time properly�. Sometimes, we miss the meaning of such �big words� and mix them up in our sentences. For example, �to plummet� may seem like �climbing to the summit or reaching the climax or apogee�; however, it means �(to cause) to drop, fall or plunge rapidly�, for example: �Oil prices have plummeted from $100 a barrel to $80 a barrel�. �The cordial relations between the U.S.A and Iraq plummeted unto hostility�. In the Republic v. Quansah (1968) GLR, 236, a State Attorney charged Quansah �guilty of extortion, that is, by demanding or obtaining under colour of his office�. Justice Archer, sitting as a High Court Judge in Cape Coast remarked: �If the prosecution prefer to adorn the particulars of offence with innocuous verbiage, my attitude would be to refuse to see or admire the adornment�. Justice Archer thought �under colour of his office� was unnecessary; the prosecution had decided to �embellish� the offence or to �colour� it. Your �secretary� to whom you entrust private or secret matters and one whose duty is to conduct the correspondence or organize your affairs may be called �an amanuensis� or �a dactylographer�. A �labyrinthine path� may be tortuous (NOT: tortious, meaning wrongful, injurious, pertaining to a tort in law). It may also be sinuous, serpentine, zigzag or circuitous. �Tintinnabulation� is (the sound of) tinkling jewelry (OR jewellery) especially on dancers, but the chime of the dancers could titillate a serpent (or the sound of the dancers could excite a snake) In a tribute to Professor Adu Boahen (Kontopinat), Cameron Duodu wrote (The Ghanaian Times: June 6, 2006): �Adu Boahen carried his political awareness into his later life, and moved so much that one wonders where he found the time and energy to do his research and write his books. He was obstreperous and those small feet of his could be found everywhere � He was a human dynamo- writing, cajoling, denouncing or recruiting politicians; joining others; planning and executing strategies, and generally appearing never to be satisfied with anything�. In another tribute to Professor Adu Boahen, Nana Akufo-Addo wrote in the Daily Graphic of July 30, 2006: �No valediction of Adu-Boahen can be complete without mention of his deep admiration of the life and works of Ghanaian colossus, Joseph Boakye Danquah. His compilation and editing of Danquah�s works and letters in �The Ghanaian Establishment� were a true labour of love that has left posterity an invaluable insight into the ideas, thoughts and reflections of the man who gave our nation her name and who above all provided the foundation and inspiration for her freedom�. On the fifth anniversary of the death of Prof. Emeritus Adu Boahen, we join all well-wishers in saying �Adieu� Prof. In �It is a long haul for education� (Daily Graphic; April 23, 2007), good old K. B. Asante helps us to understand the word �senile� better and quoting from BBC World English Dictionary, says: �If old people become senile, they become confused or mentally ill and are unable to look after themselves�. Old age, by itself, does not portray senility or senescence. It is not wrong to know and use �big� or �unfamiliar� words. As Aldous Huxley notes: �Words form the thread on which we string our experiences. Without them, we should live spasmodically and intermittently�. But before you use any �unfamiliar� word, be sure you understand fully its meaning and appropriateness in a given context. In his book �Legislative Drafting�, VCRAC Crabbe advises Parliamentary Counsel (always singular NOT: Parliamentary Counsels) thus: �Where a word has the same meaning as a phrase, it is better to use the word rather than the phrase�. He urges them to be �direct, simple, brief, vigorous and lucid�. He advises them to (a) prefer the familiar word to the uncommon; (b) prefer the concrete word to the abstract; (c) prefer the single word to the circumlocution; (d) prefer the short word to the long; (e) prefer the Anglo-Saxon word to the Romance. If you want people to admire your writing, �kiss� your words (keep them sweet). Why? You never know when you may have to eat them.