What is sesquipedalian?

Sesquipedalian

A sesquipedalian (pronounced /ˌsɛskwɪpɪˈdeɪliən/) is a word that is long and multisyllabic. The term can also refer to someone who is characterized by using long and obscure words.

  • Origin: The word "sesquipedalian" itself is a sesquipedalian word! It comes from the Latin sesquipedalis, meaning "a foot and a half long" (from sesqui- "one and a half" and pedalis "of the foot"). See the concept of <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/etymology">etymology</a> for further information.

  • Usage: The term is often used humorously or critically to describe writing or speech that is overly complex or pretentious due to its use of unnecessarily long words. The act of employing sesquipedalian words can sometimes be interpreted as an attempt to appear intelligent or sophisticated.

  • Examples:

    • "Floccinaucinihilipilification" (the act of estimating something as worthless) is a famous example.
    • Other examples include: "antidisestablishmentarianism", "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis", and "incomprehensibility". These are long words and examples of <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/sesquipedalian%20words">sesquipedalian words</a>.
  • Related Terms: The use of big words can be linked to <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/highfalutin%20language">highfalutin language</a> and <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/pretentious%20writing">pretentious writing</a>.

In short, "sesquipedalian" describes a love (or abuse) of long words, both the words themselves and the people who use them.