4 ms·

I like how it can mean either 'confused' or 'unimpressed' which in certain situations can almost be opposites of each other. But both apply to me with this chai

I like how it can mean either 'confused' or 'unimpressed' which in certain situations can almost be opposites of each other. But both apply to me with this chain system!

switch007 6y ago
I (a Brit) was confused by the apparent use to mean "unimpressed" but I stumbled upon this: > Note: The use of nonplussed to mean "unimpressed" is an Americanism that has become increasingly common in recent decades and now appears frequently in published writing. It apparently arose from confusion over the meaning of nonplussed in ambiguous contexts, and it continues to be widely regarded as an error. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonplussed https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonplussed
- pbhjpbhj 6y ago
  Well I (a Brit) have only ever understood it to mean 'not sufficiently impressed to know what to say'; in a sort of bemusement or indecision as to one's reaction. A sort of confusion as to how unimpressed one is. The Collins dictionary I have to hand doesn't capture that nuance though. I actively try to avoid USAmericanisms, except for "y'all". Go figure ;o) [That last phrase is a USAmericanism, used for amusing intent.]
  - HelloMcFly 6y ago
    Y'all fills a hole in the English language that is not suitably filled by any other single word! It's a great word!
jacobolus 6y ago
Nonplussed means “so confused that you are completely paralyzed”. Think deer stopped in headlights. Rough synonyms: confounded, flummoxed, bewildered, perplexed, stunned, shocked, dumbfounded, flabbergasted, thunderstruck. Using nonplussed to mean “unimpressed” or “apathetic” will leave listeners both unimpressed and confused.
- raverbashing 6y ago
  > NOTE: The use of nonplussed to mean "unimpressed" is an Americanism that has become increasingly common in recent decades and now appears frequently in published writing. It apparently arose from confusion over the meaning of nonplussed in ambiguous contexts, and it continues to be widely regarded as an error. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonplussed https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonplussed My observation: "continues to be regarded as an error" is a bit of a "that's not how linguistics work" thing

I like how it can mean either 'confused' or 'unimpressed' which in certain situations can almost be opposites of each other. But both apply to me with this chain system!

switch007 6y ago

I (a Brit) was confused by the apparent use to mean "unimpressed" but I stumbled upon this: > Note: The use of nonplussed to mean "unimpressed" is an Americanism that has become increasingly common in recent decades and now appears frequently in published writing. It apparently arose from confusion over the meaning of nonplussed in ambiguous contexts, and it continues to be widely regarded as an error. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonplussed https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonplussed

pbhjpbhj 6y ago
Well I (a Brit) have only ever understood it to mean 'not sufficiently impressed to know what to say'; in a sort of bemusement or indecision as to one's reaction. A sort of confusion as to how unimpressed one is. The Collins dictionary I have to hand doesn't capture that nuance though. I actively try to avoid USAmericanisms, except for "y'all". Go figure ;o) [That last phrase is a USAmericanism, used for amusing intent.]
- HelloMcFly 6y ago
  Y'all fills a hole in the English language that is not suitably filled by any other single word! It's a great word!

jacobolus 6y ago

Nonplussed means “so confused that you are completely paralyzed”. Think deer stopped in headlights. Rough synonyms: confounded, flummoxed, bewildered, perplexed, stunned, shocked, dumbfounded, flabbergasted, thunderstruck. Using nonplussed to mean “unimpressed” or “apathetic” will leave listeners both unimpressed and confused.

raverbashing 6y ago
> NOTE: The use of nonplussed to mean "unimpressed" is an Americanism that has become increasingly common in recent decades and now appears frequently in published writing. It apparently arose from confusion over the meaning of nonplussed in ambiguous contexts, and it continues to be widely regarded as an error. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonplussed https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonplussed My observation: "continues to be regarded as an error" is a bit of a "that's not how linguistics work" thing