Is it pretentious to use "brava!' instead of "bravo!"?

[Anonymous]

If you have to ask, avoid. Since the peanut gallery can't decide, you need to use another word, otherwise you will piss off half of the readers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just say good job. Bravo/a is best saved for live performances I would think.

This, unless the object of your praise is Italian in which case use Brava.

[Anonymous]

I haven't forgotten what is correct, I have just accepted the conventions.

Follow this practical advice.

[Anonymous]

Someday I'll learn how to properly use quotes.

[Anonymous]

Yay!!! is much better and no pretentious in any way.

[Anonymous]

If they are opera singers, yes. Otherwise, no.

[Anonymous]

If you can comfortably throw around "Milano" and "Napoli" then you are allowed to say brava. Otherwise, no.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Same with "Cheers" to close a F'n email.

We signed a corporate contract, not a peace treaty. Simmer down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: This, unless the object of your praise is Italian in which case use Brava.

I agree. Stick with English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We should all know when to use brava, bravo and bravi.

What about "brave"? For the all female team.

[Anonymous]

I think it is fine. However, there are a lot of people in DC who aren't particularly sophisticated, and think anything they are not familiar with is uppity.

[Anonymous]

Only if you pronounce "croissant" correctly.

[Anonymous]

In Texas, the correct form is "Yipee!" for modest expressions of enthusiasm and "Yeeeee-Hah!!" for more intense expressions. It is not uncommon when addressing a woman to use the feminine form, "Yeeeee-Hahe!!" (The final "e" is silent.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, not pretentious at all, just educated. It's like saying "alumnae" or "alumna" and people not being used to it. Just because their ears aren't used to it, it doesn't mean that the speaker or writer is pretentious. How silly. Use the proper word. Otherwise you appear illiterate. (And that isn't meant to seem unkind at all. It's just that when you're writing, especially for something that's going to be read by bosses, etc. you don't want to appear that you don't know better.)

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...and while we're speaking Itailian, if you order one, it's a panino. If you order several, it's panini. But I think thy battle was lost long ago.

Well that makes sense! [Smacks forehead.]
If it's a very long panino, is it a peninis?