social status of "conflagration"

[Jonathan Lighter]

When Fox News journalist Alisyn Camerota used the word "conflagration" a moment ago, the three anchors joined in ridiculing her:

  "Did you just say 'conflagration'?"
  "The word of the day."
  "First time it's been heard on this show this year."
  "I'll try to use it in a sentence."

  Etc.

  Cf. _Idiocracy_ (2006): "Why you tryna read that _word_? Are you a faaaaaag?"

  But that's not till the 26th Century.

  JL

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