Ask what a word means mid-conversation. Most people won’t think less of you; they’ll be glad you’re listening.

Nodding through a word you do not know keeps the conversation smooth and leaves you slightly further behind each time it happens. Asking feels like a risk and almost never is, because the question shows you were following closely enough to notice. Most people are pleased rather than unimpressed, and a fair number of them were not completely sure either.

Interrupt once this week to ask what a word or an abbreviation means. Keep it light and move straight on afterwards. Count how many people react badly, which will probably be none of them.