My Expanding Vocabulary

D.A. Carson sure has an expansive vocabulary. Even though I had not read very much of him prior to his commentary on John, I realized rather quickly that he has great dexterity with the English language. At times it is rather comical. I have been keeping writing on a notecard all the words Carson uses that of wich I am not familiar. After only 100 pages of keeping track, my notecard is nearly full. Here is a list of some of the words I came across (the definitions supplied are from dictionary.com):

Umbrage: offense; annoyance; displeasure

Ignominy (I have came across this word at least 3 or 4 times): disgrace; dishonor; public contempt

Pettifogging: insignificant; petty;dishonest or unethical in insignificant matters; meanly petty

Reticent: disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved

Incenses: To cause to be extremely angry; infuriate.

Assize: an edict, ordinance, or enactment made at a session of a legislative assembly

Viticulture: the culture or cultivation of grapevines; grape-growing

Derelication: Not in dictionary (He possibly meant dereliction)

Marauders: Not in dictionary

Putative: commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed

Groundswell:any surge of support, approval, or enthusiasm, esp. among the general public

Sapiential: containing, exhibiting, or affording wisdom; characterized by wisdom

Animus: strong dislike or enmity; hostile attitude; animosity

Proleptic: the anticipation of possible objections in order to answer them in advance.

Castigate: to criticize or reprimand severely

Brigands: A robber or bandit, especially one of an outlaw band

And to think, this is a commentary aimed at "pastors, teachers, and students everywhere"! Granted, a majority of teachers would probably be familar with these words; however, I doubt most seminary students and pastors would fully grasp what Carson was saying without a dictionary near at hand.

With all that said, I don't know if this is more of an indictment against Carson's enigmatic writing style or the general American's ignorance of the wealth of English words.