Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
Do you ever find yourself using a fancy word when you talk just because you like the way it rolls off your tongue?
When I'm teasing a co-worker, for example, I like to say, "I'm just being facetious," instead of, "I'm only joking." Or, when my little sister is picky about food, it's more fun to say, "You're so persnickety," than, "Stop being difficult." Almost always, there's a simpler way to say something; but sometimes, for whatever reason, we just can't find the words.
Jobs and job titles are a perfect example. In my line of work, I research a lot of different occupations. Most of them I've heard of, some of them I haven't -- but recently, I noticed that many of them I couldn't even pronounce.
Curiosity got the best of me and I went on a quest to learn about some of these jobs. Are they as fancy and complex as they sound? (The answer is no.) Don't get me wrong -- the following jobs aren't simple or dull; it's just that there might be an easier way to explain that you operate on the mouth, jaws, head and neck than by saying you're an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (even if that's your proper title).
Here are 15 job titles that can be a mouthful, phrased in a way we can all understand:
1. Proper title: Adjudicator
Pronunciation: \ə-'jü-di-,kā-tər\
Simply put: Also known as hearing officers or administrative law judges, adjudicators rule on government claims like Social Security or employment discrimination suits filed against individuals or groups.
Salary: $41, 156/year*
2. Proper title: Cryptanalyst
Pronunciation: \krip-'ta-nə-list\
Simply put: A cryptanalyst is a type of mathematician who studies secret coding systems and decodes messages for military, political and law enforcement outfits.
Salary: $66,357/year
3. Proper title: Cytotechnologist
Pronunciation: \,sī-tə-tek-'nä-lə-jist\
Simply put: Cytotechnologists examine slides of human body cells to detect abnormalities that may signal cancerous growths, hormone imbalances and other conditions.
Salary: $52,806/year
4. Proper title: Entomologist
Pronunciation: \,en-tə-'mä-lə-jist\
Simply put: Entomologists examine the relationship among insects, plants and animals. They help manage and eliminate pests by creating new, safer and friendlier methods of pest control.
Salary: $47,038/year
5. Proper title: Gerontologist
Pronunciation: \,jer-ən-'tä-lə-jist\
Simply put: A type of social scientist, gerontologists specialize in the physical and mental aspects of the elderly and aging, as well as the economic and social issues older people encounter.
Salary: $149,433/year
6. Proper title: Hostler
Pronunciation: \'häs-lər\
Simply put: Hostlers are essentially truck drivers who move or park trucks and trailers when they're parked in a docking area. Additionally, if the vehicles need to be serviced, loaded or connected to other vehicles, hostlers are the ones to do so.
Salary: $36,967/year
7. Proper title: Electroencephalographic technologist
Pronunciation: \i-,lek-trō-\in-,se-f(ə-)lə-'gra-fik\\ tek-'nä-lə-jist\
Simply put: Using an EEG instrument, these technologists measure brain activity by placing electrodes on the patient's head to help diagnose brain and nervous system disorders.
Salary: $37,630/year
8. Proper title: Foundry metallurgist
Pronunciation: \'fau̇n-drē\\'me-təl-,ər-jist\
Simply put: These people study to improve the methods of molding, melting, alloying and pouring metals and their alloys into final products.
Salary: $67,813/year
9. Proper title: Immunohematology technologist
Pronunciation: \,i-myə-'nä -,hē-mə-'tä-lə-jē\ \ tek-'nä-lə-jist\
Simply put: These specialists typically work in blood banks collecting, classifying and preparing blood for transfusions.
Salary: $63,731/year
10. Proper title: Prosthodontist
Pronunciation: \,präs-thə-'dän-tist\
Simply put: A type of dentist, prosthodontists maintain, fix and replace teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures or other permanent fixtures.
Salary: $162,388/year
11. Proper title: Otolaryngologist
Pronunciation: \,ō-tō-,la-rən-'gä-lə-jist\
Simply put: These medical practitioners are essentially ear, nose and throat doctors, though they can also diagnose head and neck disorders.
Salary: $221,744/year
12. Proper title: Perianesthesia nurse
Pronunciation: \'pir-ē-,a-nəs-'thē-zhə\ \'nərs\
Simply put: This registered nurse specialty provides pre- and postoperative care to patients undergoing anesthesia during surgery or other procedures.
Salary: $69,957/year
13. Proper title: Phlebotomist
Pronunciation: \fli-'bä-tə-mist\
Simply put: Phlebotomists draw blood from patients and donors in medical facilities and blood banks, and prepare it for screening and analysis.
Salary: $24,986/year
14. Proper title: Stenocaptioner
Pronunciation: \stə-'nä-'kap-shən-ər\
Simply put: Stenocaptioners are court reporters who use a special machine to document statements made in official proceedings. The machine allows them to hit multiple keys at once to record combinations of letters representing sounds, words or phrases.
Salary: $36,224/year
15. Proper title: Stratigrapher
Pronounced: \,stra-tə-grə-fər\
Simply put: These geoscientists study fossil content and formation of sedimentary rocks to understand the environment.
Salary: $59,705/year
*National average salary according to CBSalary.com
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues
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