Nonplussed

guy incognito

Well-Known Member
I just recently encountered this word, a bunch of times, and apparently people misuse it all the time. I had never heard of it before. I live under a rock and don't read news articles much, or converse with people, but I do converse on online forums, went to school (up through a BS from university), and hold down a professional career. I don't have the most extensive vocabulary, but I would certainly consider myself educated.

How have I never heard this word in 30 years?
 

Hepheastus420

Well-Known Member
for all the lazy ones..

non·plussed
nänˈpləst
adjective
adjective: nonplussed; adjective: non-plussed; adjective: nonplused

  • 1.
    (of a person) surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react.
    "he would be completely nonplussed and embarrassed at the idea"




  • 2.
    informal
    (of a person) not disconcerted; unperturbed.

    :) I didn't know either




 

Orithil

Well-Known Member
I haven't seen used much outside of literature, to be quite honest. It's one of those words people use if they want to be smart. I'm sure this news doesn't make you nonplussed.
 

Trousers

Well-Known Member
Irregardless and for all intensive purposes I could care less what people think, nonplussed is a good word.
 

kinetic

Well-Known Member
Trousers, are you baiting me with that irregardless? lol. You seem like an educated fellow, surely you purposely used a word that has the same meaning as regardless...
 

guy incognito

Well-Known Member
I've never encountered it in literature. Reading is not a consistent hobby of mine, but I have read a few books in my time. I also read a lot of stuff in school. I must have 200 or more words in my vocabulary that I never ever use for a variety of reasons, but I know them, and even some of the ones I don't know I am at least aware of their existence. I have absolutely no context to look back on though, I literally don't remember a single instance of the word until this week.
 

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
Yes I've seen non-plussed and it was important enough to make into vocabulary gen II. Two of my pet peeves are,

advise for advice
mute for moot
 

cannabineer

Ursus marijanus
I've never encountered it in literature. Reading is not a consistent hobby of mine, but I have read a few books in my time. I also read a lot of stuff in school. I must have 200 or more words in my vocabulary that I never ever use for a variety of reasons, but I know them, and even some of the ones I don't know I am at least aware of their existence. I have absolutely no context to look back on though, I literally don't remember a single instance of the word until this week.
I read a lot of fiction when i should probably be spending my time more productively. You've mentioned one of my favorite words here. It's a nice one to sum up the feeling of being bemused beyond easy reply. Gobsmacked. At a loss for words.

I am not always plussed. ;)
 
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