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December 17, 2009
nonplussed by 'nonplussed' — Episode 2: a new meaning emerges
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This wonderful word, oftimes seen in print, confuses most people, who don't know if it means "unperturbed" or its opposite, i.e., "surprised and confused."
Turns out that it's an "Alice [in Wonderland]" word, to wit: it means whatever you want it to mean.
If you don't believe me, well then, read the Compact Oxford English Dictionary's entry (above) for it.
December 17, 2009 at 10:01 AM | Permalink
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Comments
Being "nonplussed" means that one is missing plus, which is always minus.
Posted by: BJ | Dec 17, 2009 6:52:40 PM
someone been reading BikesnobNYC?
Posted by: Fritz | Dec 17, 2009 2:29:27 PM
Americans in general don't know what the Hell words mean. Even college grads who have Master's degrees are only semi-literate; one of my co-workers, who is very bright and very well, but narrowly, educated, uses the non-word "flustrated" when she means "frustrated."
Every day, I hear more mangled English that makes me grateful that I am not immortal.
Posted by: Morely Dotes | Dec 17, 2009 12:07:43 PM
Well, I'm pretty plussed about you right now, in the correct usage.
Posted by: kathy peck leeds | Dec 17, 2009 10:26:19 AM
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