talking like a book

Verb

talk like a book (third-person singular simple present talks like a book, present participle talking like a book, simple past and past participle talked like a book)

1. (informal, simile) To talk pedantically, or using excessively difficult or literary words.
   • People ſhould not vvrite as they talk, except in letters (vvhich are but a converſation in vvriting): it is too careleſs. And they neither can nor ought to ſpeak as they vvrite, for this vvould be unnatural. I ſuppose it vvas first intended as a compliment to a perſon to ſay, He talks like a book...1744, [Nicolas-Charles-Joseph] Trublet, “Of the Different Talents for Speaking and Writing”, in [anonymous], transl., Essays upon Several Subjects of Literature and Morality. […], London: […] J....

   Synonyms:

   speak like a book

2. (informal, simile) To talk precisely and with authority.
   • You cannot conceive, ladies, hovv good a ſchool that tavern vvas to me. It vvas frequented by a great number of learned men, vvho talked like a book concerning the character of a vvorthy man; of the pleaſure and advantage that, in every condition of life, attended the being juſt, good, and...1793 February, [Jean-François] Marmontel, “The Waterman of Besons”, in [anonymous], transl., The Sentimental and Masonic Magazine, volume II, Dublin: […] John Jones, […], →OCLC, page 131