Am I l i t e r a l l y horrified that someone who claims to be a copy editor with decades of experience has never encountered "nonplussed" used to mean surprised/confused and believes in their heart of hearts that it means totes chill?
You. Bet. I. Am.
You. Bet. I. Am.
Comments
I would say I’m fairly well-read. Masters degree. Still read several books (fiction
/non) each year.
I’ve always understood nonplussed to be “unfazed” or “not bothered”.
But I guess that is just the modern usage. I never knew the traditional -> (perplexed/confused).
This is coming from a guy who says used to often say Post humous, not Pahsthumous.
Also, your take that people who try to use words accurately are showing off is just the vanilla version of RWNJ hostility to expertise.
*And I don't want to hear from anyone telling me I'm gatekeeping. Fuck yeah, I'm gatekeeping.
For me, that definition leaves me perplexed. 😅
Then books like “words everyone should know” in my 20s-30s.
Always good to have “the facts”.
Oh, Sam.
O..............kay.
"In what?"
You know, like a nonplussed saltine means just a cracker, no cheese or butter or anything on top.
friend: best use of nonplussed ever!
me: best use of enormity ever.
surprised/confused doesn't quite capture.
Given that you're qualifying it with that much experience in the area of experience, I agree. I will say though, it sounds like "un-good/uncool" – read: not stoked.
But to mean "totes chill" means one would allow it. Nooo. Wrong ballpark.
I mean, I might not know every word in existence in every language I speak, but before saying that and arguing it, maybe open a dictionary and admit you don't know everything?