"'Dr. Honikker used to say any scientist who couldn't explain to an eight-year-old what he was doing was a charlatan.'" p34 Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut.

You will find this quote in my introduction to me area, so I am taking this time now to explain why it is my favorite quote in the entire world.

What is the point of words if no one understands them? Why would we use a word the listener doesn't know? We are wasting our breath. As a writer, you need to know the english language backwards and forwards, but, you don't need to use confusing words to make a point. Large words are for the SATs and nothing else.

When you use a big word in a conversation you risk your listener's attention. Once someone no longer knows what you are saying, why should they listen?

Even worse than that, if you are explaining something to someone and use a word they do not know, you could make them feel bad. You can belittle them. You have now just explained something to them and they now have to go ask someone what you said. They are not about to ask you because you are already smarter than them and they don't want you to know.