Thread: An Observation: The New Breed of Authors Are Using Obscure Words - Page After Page

I just thought of a specific example from "Robert Redford" the Biography by Callan. One of my most current books. The author writes of Redford's college friend working at a radio station in California. The station had a DJ that delighted in shocking the audience with "Erudite Innuendo". I would wager that most of the general reading public would have to research the definition here. Especially the word "Erudite". Most would have probably come across the word "Innuendo", although some may still not know the true difinition. I think I have heard or read the word "Erudite" before. However, quite honestly, I did NOT know the definition until I researched the word.

Putting hese two words together in modern literature actually illustrates my point perfectly. Erudite means "Having or showing great knowledge or learning". And in case some do not know, Innuendo means "An allusive or oblique remark".

Thus, "Erundite Innuendo" means an allusive or oblique remark showing great knowledge.

How many times in literature, let alone conversation, is the average person going to be discussing "Erudite Innuando"? Very seldom I am sure.