My boss annoys me no end when she continually says, "Let's 'chit-chat' about that". There have to be better words to use.

So, I looked "talk" up in the online thesaurus today and found 189 synonyms. Perhaps I should send it to her as a blind e-mail attachment! One of my favorites was rhapsodize. "Let's 'rhapsodize' about that!" What are other words about "talking" that you like or use?

Sounds better than my boss who wants to "dialogue".

That's far better than a boss I once had who only wanted to monologue!

Richard English

I had a "monologuer" once too!

I know "dialogue" can be used as a verb, but somehow it seems to be much better when used as a noun.

Interestingly, I just looked it up in the AHD online and found a usage note regarding its use as a verb. It should not be used as an informal exchange of views, such as in the sentence: "Critics have charged that the department was remiss in not trying to dialogue with representatives of the community before hiring the new officers." Interesting, because in academia and organizations I see it used that way all the time!

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Quote '...Sounds better than my boss who wants to "dialogue". ...'
That's far better than a boss I once had who only wanted to monologue!

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Digressing, is there a difference between a monologue and a soliloquy?

I have always assumed that a soliloquy could be private whereas a monologue anticipated an audience.

Richard English

Isn't "soliloquy" mostly used in dramas when the actor/actress talks to the audience?

Indeed it is - but it is supposedly for the speaker's ears only. Hamlet's most famous soliloquy is actually about his own inner thoughts (and the audience are actually eavesdropping).

Richard English