No Conundrums Here

co·nun·drum

/kəˈnəndrəm/

noun: conundrum; plural noun: conundrums

a confusing and difficult problem or question.

The Likud party faced a PR backfire on Monday, when it chose to mock Yair Lapid (co-leader of the Blue and White Party)’s performance in a CNN interview last week.

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/07/18/amanpour-yair-lapid-israel-election.cnn

Likud spokesman Jonathan Urich scorned Lapid’s use of the word “conundrum”, questioning if it was even an actual word.

As it happens, it is. And Lapid used it perfectly correctly, as he pointed out in his snappy Twitter retort “Bibi, Let Me Help You”.

So, while the parties try to sort out who has more egg on their face, what can we learn from this brouhaha (noisy and excited reaction/response)?

Whichever words you choose to use when presenting – including the odd “fancy” one – consider the following points:

• be sure you’re comfortable using the word/s (could a simpler version be more effective?)
• ensure you’re clear on their meaning
• will your audience know their meaning?
• your pronunciation should be excellent
• if you’re going to correct someone else’s English – make sure you know what you’re talking about.

That way you’ll keep your message crystal-clear, present with confidence – and keep any conundrums at arms’ length.