Big Words

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1862

BIG WORDS.—A clergyman, while composing a sermon, made use of the word "ostentatious man." Throwing down his pen, he wished to satisfy himself, before he proceeded, as to whether a great portion of his congregation might comprehend the meaning of these words, and he adopted the following method of proof.

Ringing the bell his footman appeared, and he was thus addressed by his master: "What do you conceive to be implied by an ostentatious man?" "An ostentatious man, sir," said Thomas; "why, sir, I should say a perfect gentleman." "Very good," said the vicar; "send Ellis (the coachman) here." "Ellis," said the vicar, "what do you imagine an ostentatious man to be?" "An ostentatious man, sir," replied Ellis; "why an ostentatious man means what we calls (saving your presence) a very jolly fellow." It is hardly necessary to add that the vicar substituted a less ambiguous word.