I might have been too...literal... or I'm not sure how to describe it. I was reading this and thinking about what you were saying in a specific way. I took from this that instead of describing a specific person as intelligent (in the context of the definition of intelligent "having good understanding or a high mental capacity; quick to comprehend") the person should be described by another word because calling some intelligent takes away from other people.
But in a broader context (which is what you mean)I can see what you are saying. And the next part is a little rambling but it's some things I was thinking of after reading your reply.
However, it's interesting that you put articulate on the list because it has a complicated history as a descriptor on its own. Which I'm not an expert on but this article kind of explains the complications http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/weekinreview/04clemetson.html?_r=0
I've also heard creative being bandied about as if it's innate and unchangeable but also special. Used similarly to the way you are describing intelligent. I've been told both that I'm very creative and in other situations (by different people who knew me in other contexts) that I'm not very creative. "Oh you just aren't very creative" the way someone might say "oh, so and so just isn't very intelligent."
no subject
But in a broader context (which is what you mean)I can see what you are saying. And the next part is a little rambling but it's some things I was thinking of after reading your reply.
However, it's interesting that you put articulate on the list because it has a complicated history as a descriptor on its own. Which I'm not an expert on but this article kind of explains the complications http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/weekinreview/04clemetson.html?_r=0
I've also heard creative being bandied about as if it's innate and unchangeable but also special. Used similarly to the way you are describing intelligent. I've been told both that I'm very creative and in other situations (by different people who knew me in other contexts) that I'm not very creative. "Oh you just aren't very creative" the way someone might say "oh, so and so just isn't very intelligent."