I still use the word "oblong"
intead of "rectangle", especially if I'm talking to someone I don't really know.
It makes you feel strangely self-conscious.
(Paolo Nutini's Bikini Better than Frederick Fleet's optometrist, Tue 22 Sep 2009, 14:55, 4 replies)

As a mathematician I find this a very useful word
It means a rectangle that is specifically not a square. Comes in handy surprisingly often.
( flatfrog Staring vacantly into space, Tue 22 Sep 2009, 15:01, closed)

This.

( Bob Todd whee, Tue 22 Sep 2009, 20:19, closed)

You're not a builder are you, by any chance?
I ask because I was discussing something with a builder a while back, and he was about to describe something as being oblong when he apparently had second thoughts about using such a juvenile word. He saved himself from being thought childish by cunningly switching to a more grown-up word halfway through and came out with "oblongular".

I kept a straight face briefly, until his mate keeled over laughing.

"Oblongular" is now a word I try to use whenever possible.
(richardm, Tue 22 Sep 2009, 15:12, closed)

When and why was oblong deemed childish?
I use it in preference to rectangle - if only because it can also serve as an adjective. Although I'll also be using oblongular now.
( Larry Vest One day at a time, sweet Jesus, FFS., Tue 22 Sep 2009, 15:37, closed)