O(N^2) is not exponential at all, it is polynomial. O(2^N) is exponential. And the grandparent was pointing out -- correctly -- that that description doesn't r

O(N^2) is not exponential at all, it is polynomial. O(2^N) is exponential. And the grandparent was pointing out -- correctly -- that that description doesn't really apply here. (2^N)^2 = 2^(2N) = still just 'exponential'. Plotted on a log scale it would still be a straight line.