Unicode is an encoding standard for text on computers that allows documents in any script and language to be entered, stored, edited and exchanged.
blank stare from layman<<
I think it is best to relate the description to what the layman does: he types things, and he edits them and he sends them to other laymen. The 'big font' thing is a really bad idea because it is completely inaccurate: that's not informing the layman in terms he understands, that's misleading him.
Only if you don't follow it up with a second sentence.
I also think it is a good idea to include the word 'encoding', because if the rest of one's description is simple it can be a useful way to plant new terminology in someone's head.
Honestly it depends what kind of layman you are talking to. Many's the time I was beavering away on some proposal or other down the pub, and have been accosted with a "what are you doing?"....
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Michael Everson * * Everson Typography * * http://www.evertype.com
