utilize =/= use
No, really, it doesn’t. Two different words, two different meanings.
“Utilize” has a particular connotation: “to turn to practical use or account.”
For example, “Sarah didn’t know how to utilize the laptop she’d been given” means Sarah quite possibly knows how to use a computer, but cannot make practical use of this particular laptop. Perhaps there is no software loaded on the machine, or it’s running an operating system she isn’t familiar with. Or perhaps it simply isn’t powerful enough for her to make practical use of it in her job.
Avoid using “utilize” as a fancy way of saying “use.” According to the American Heritage Dictionary, “many occurrences of utilize could be replaced by use with no loss to anything but pretentiousness.”
I have this George Orwell saying on my wall at work, it has like 5-6 points, one of which is: Never use a long word when a short word will do. (Not precise quote. Or might not be.)
But, especially when working with people with certain degrees, or those who think they’re particularly smart or such, you wander into this sort of thing all the time. I’ve written on more than one piece of paper things about looking words up–as in, they’re using these really fun and cool words incorrectly. And quite often in truly amusing ways.
I don’t understand this compulsion people have to use a long word when a shorter one will do. Using a long word incorrectly can actually make them sound less smart than using a short word correctly.
Well, it’s mostly folks who think they’re really really smart that do this. Or those who are trying to appear really really smart.
(I can really hear House’s voice in my head right now, btw. With that entire “really really” bit.)
See, they don’t figure that anyone will see through their thin facade of intelligence to realize just how stupid and idiotic they are for seeming so full of themselves.
I commented in my lj a while ago, on a story someone had posted on RAOB,the author was oh-so-very fond of using long words without quite understanding them…
I don’t know if I should link to it for you or not – I’d hate to be responsible for raising your blood pressure beyond safe limits.
The entire story made me laugh (it wasn’t supposed to be a comedy) but these gems really stood out
My LJ 2004
amen sistah!!! That’s one that makes me cringe…