using long words/sentences doesn't make you sound smart

I somehow doubt this thread was about you, clousems. But I can appreciate the Frasier reference.

To the OP, yes, verbose and grandiloquent, superfluous language can be annoying. But that's not to say that descriptive language can't be used to elucidate things more effectively than plain language.

"They attack you personally instead of debating the topic."

In reality, the line between personal attacks and debates can become a bit problematic...something they never bothered to tell you about in the classroom.