fancy talk

USAGE SUMMARY

"fancy talk" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe overly elaborate or pretentious language. You can use it in situations where someone's speech or writing is unnecessarily complex or showy. Example: "The politician's speech was full of fancy talk, but lacked any substantial solutions to the issue at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It was his nature to dislike excess..., and he was impatient with jargon and fancy talk.

The New Yorker

Project managers would reckon that such fancy talk must add at least 30% to the budget.

The Guardian - Arts

Just as he did in "Inglourious Basterds," in which Waltz was a polite S.S. killer, Tarantino writes fancy talk for this self-amused, highly elocutionary Austrian actor.

The New Yorker

By way of advice, Romp, the Bigfoot tracker, encourages Charles to drop the fancy talk, stop being such a "sissy" and buck up: "Start being a regular dude.

The New York Times - Books

(The Centralia Sentinel, of Lincoln's home state, wanting nothing to do with fancy talk, had the speech begin, simply, "Ninety years ago... .....) A few disputes seem more significant.

The New Yorker

(The Centralia Sentinel, of Lincoln's home state, wanting nothing to do with fancy talk, had the speech begin, simply, "Ninety years ago...".) A few disputes seem more significant.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

"I don't fancy talking about him," Andrés Iniesta told El País.

The Guardian - Sport

You wonder if Sister Fa (real name Fatou Diatta) ever wakes up and thinks, you know, I don't really fancy talking about female genital mutilation today … But music and politics go hand in hand if you're from Senegal.

The Guardian - Music

That's probably just fancy-talk for saying that I've spent most of my earned income over the past 15 or so years at their stores.

TechCrunch

And for now that seems O.K. Our last session is full of laughter, fancy snacks, talk of the future.

The New Yorker

I mean, it sounds fancy to talk about, but I think that "Marco" gave me an elevated style, and I realized how important that was to me, just as a writer, just in terms of upping the verbal ante.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fancy talk" to critique language that aims to impress rather than communicate clearly. It is best used when describing speech or writing intended to sound sophisticated but lacks substance.

Common error

Avoid using "fancy talk" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and objective language to maintain credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fancy talk" is a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, referring to a type of language, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fancy talk" is a noun phrase used to describe language that is perceived as overly elaborate, pretentious, or intentionally confusing. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While "fancy talk" serves a descriptive and critical function, it's best reserved for neutral or informal settings. When writing, remember that while the phrase can be useful to call out unnecessary complexity, precision is more appreciated in formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "pretentious language" or "highfalutin language" to adjust the nuance of your critique.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretentious language

Focuses on the affected and showy nature of the language.

bombastic language

Highlights the inflated and grandiose quality of the speech.

highfalutin language

Emphasizes the elevated and often affected style of speaking.

flowery language

Draws attention to the ornamental and elaborate nature of the expression.

ornate speech

Highlights the embellished and elaborate style.

jargon-filled discourse

Focuses on the use of specialized or technical terms to obscure meaning.

convoluted phrasing

Emphasizes the complicated and difficult-to-follow nature of the wording.

grandiose vocabulary

Highlights the use of impressive and imposing words.

affected vocabulary

Points to the artificial and insincere nature of the vocabulary used.

pompous diction

Focuses on the self-important and arrogant manner of speaking.

FAQs

How can I use "fancy talk" in a sentence?

You can use "fancy talk" to describe language that is unnecessarily elaborate or pretentious. For example: "The presentation was filled with "fancy talk", making it difficult to understand the main points."

What are some alternatives to "fancy talk"?

Alternatives include "pretentious language", "highfalutin language", or "bombastic language", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fancy talk" a formal or informal expression?

"Fancy talk" is generally considered an informal expression. It is suitable for casual conversation and less formal writing but may be inappropriate for academic or professional contexts.

What is the difference between "fancy talk" and "jargon"?

"Fancy talk" generally refers to overly elaborate or pretentious language intended to impress, while "jargon" refers to specialized terminology used within a particular field or profession. Jargon is not necessarily intended to be pretentious but can be perceived as such by those unfamiliar with it.