There was a famous psychology experiment carried out once where 15 highly respected physicians were gathered under the auspice of a training course. 14 were in on the experiment and there was one 'Mark' ( The test subject). When asked a seemingly easy question the first guy answered with a seemingly stupid answer ( the 'Mark' gives a wry 'knowing' smile at this), when the second then third and ultimately 14th gives the same incorrect answer, the 'Mark' looks far less confident and when he is asked, replies with the same wrong answer. Although it is easy to think this guy is a clown or weak loser, in fact the vast majority of people do the same.
Sometimes it's easier to keep quite in a crowd and not ask a question for fear of 'looking silly'. I've always thought is better to look silly ( It is unlikely you will, and even if it seems you do, who cares?) than to remain in a lifetime of self imposed ignorance. So the next time you are unsure what somebody means or don't know a what a word means - ask!!! Sometimes of course it is not practical to ask, and in these situations write it down and look it up later.
