Hacker News Reader

Comment by ComputerGuru | Hacker News Reader

> I guess I'm a bit (to use one of Bike Snob NYC's favorite words) nonplussed.

JK Rowling taught me that nonplussed is apparently a part of the daily vernacular in the UK.

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!

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

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.]

Y'all fills a hole in the English language that is not suitably filled by any other single word! It's a great word!

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.

> 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

My observation: "continues to be regarded as an error" is a bit of a "that's not how linguistics work" thing

Not really. I've never heard it used in the the general publice. It is normally used by office manager types and by talking heads in politics.

Granted, it's not a common but it's not uncommon.

My dad managed to say it about once a week, generally when describing disappointing work or behaviour from the children at his school.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com