PeevePile • A Pet Peeve Archive » Someone using a "big" word, then immediately defining it while looking quizzically into your eyes.

Someone using a "big" word, then immediately defining it while looking quizzically into your eyes.

It presents an interesting situation: you're given the choice to either ignore this behavior or seem rude and snippy by replying, "I know what that means." Either way, the person speaking with you has made the assumption that you don't know the word, and therefore finds themselves smarter.

— Biffy from Brooklyn, NY | Conversation | 10.23.2008 | Comments (4)

I know exactly what you mean.......

— Anonymous

This has got to be one of the most aggravating things to deal with. Your explanation of the possible responses to this behavior is perfect. This would happen all of the time in grad school where some pretentious student (or students) would use all of the "big" word terminology as if to point out how intelligent they are. It's so transparent and is a sign of less intellect, not more.

— Brooke posted 10/23/2008

Seriously. It's so smug. All I can think, is that the person must have 'issues', if they are trying to prove their intelligence to random people. Sad!

— A Jar posted 11/10/2008

check out: http://smugopedia.com/

— nicole posted 3/17/2009

Putting on a clean pair of socks, entering the bathroom or kitchen and standing in a water splash left on the floor, thus getting your clean socks wet and forcing you to change them. » 5 stars

Excessive and difficult-to-remove packaging » 4.95455 stars

Having to act completely surprised and utterly amazed by any and all gifts given to you in a public setting. » 4.90909 stars

When two light switches control the same light, but one must be off and the other on for the light switch to work. » 4.90909 stars

Driving behind someone with their blinker on for miles. » 4.90909 stars

Being forced to participate in a bouquet/garter toss at a wedding » 4.9 stars

Saying that men watching their own kids are "babysitting." » 4.88235 stars

The dried lotion booger stuck on the nozzle of the lotion bottle. » 4.88235 stars

Using mobile phones at the register. » 127 Comments

When pregnant women complain about being pregnant. » 47 Comments

The non-existance of unpadded bras in cup sizes less than D. Macy's, Victoria's secret, and Bloomingdales do not carry them. unpadded. » 46 Comments

People who put ketchup in the refrigerator. » 44 Comments

People who deliberately pronounce words incorrectly and repeatedly. » 34 Comments

"Irregardless." » 32 Comments

Women who are just so beautiful they don't have to contribute to sex... » 32 Comments

Saying that men watching their own kids are "babysitting." » 27 Comments

The non-existance of unpadded bras in cup sizes less than D. Macy's, Victoria's secret, and Bloomingdales do not carry them. unpadded. » I'm a 36DD. I do need thin padding so no1 loses an eye on cool days & that hasn't been hard to find. What I am having zero success with is a bra my size that offers some semi-thick padding beneath my breasts. I know that the purpose of this padding is to offer girls with a smaller cup sz some added lift, but with DDs I need lift too, just for a different reason. I don't want the "girls" smacking my chin, but I don't want them slapping my knees either. – drinna28 5/15

Touching a pregnant woman's belly without being A) the father, or B) her OB-GYN. » When i was pregnant, my hubby allows me and i also agree with it try it u will hve fun – Atiqa 5/14

When deli sandwiches or bagels with cream cheese are cut in half but the cut does not go all the way through, so you have to tear it in half anyway. The balance and structure of the sandwich are needlessly compromised. » hi there stevo this is the web address info ,give them a call ,tell them gazza recommened you – garydetlon 5/11

Can I Ask You a Question? » Common persons do not have appropriate essays writing abilities. – CraneDora 5/10

10.31.10

Thanks to a recent torrent of spam, I’ve had to disable comments for a while. I’ve now removed the ability to put links in the comments. Email me if you want to put something in, such as five links to knock-off handbag sites, and I’ll happily oblige.

09.10.10

I’ve added two features to the sidebar: Highest Rating and Hotly Debated. They will be updated daily. To my surprise, the ketchup-in-fridge peeve seemed to really incite some anger — it’s clearly a complex situation that affects us all.

It should be noted that the star ratings indicate how much you agree with, or appreciate, the peeve, not how you feel when it happens.

I will be adding a Paragon Peeves section as well, for my and my friends’ personal favorites.

Please enjoy, and contact me if you have any new feature ideas.