Only Few Would Know What That Means

Esoteric (pronounced Ehs-oh-tehr-ick)

           Defined by dictionary.com as private, secret, or something that can only be understood by a specific group of people.

           I'll illustrate with an example.

           Kyle smiled at Myra the same way that Matt Sabre would.

           I don't imagine many people can picture the above sentence in their mind, seeing as how only those who know what Matt Sabre looks like can picture Kyle's smile. This sentence is, therefore, esoteric.

           A quick word of caution. There is a difference between something being esoteric and something being vague. No one can understand something vague, while it is possible for someone to understand something esoteric.

          Again, I'll illustrate with an example. Read the following sentences and see if you can tell which ones are vague and which ones are esoteric.


          I never wanted this life for my daughter, living like Laurie Shannon, only with turkeys.

         Avery Bishop was a rich man, maybe even richer than all the men on the planet Dentin.

         I am a good girl.

         She sipped her drink, imagining it tasted like Apple Jackson root beer.