The Daily Mail online is the world’s most popular newspaper website, and yet they struggle to use English. How can we help them understand that nonplussed does not mean nonchalant?
This is apparently a common misunderstanding but I don’t know why. When I worked as a script reader, I often came across this confusion. A character who reacted with indifference would be described as “nonplussed”.
Do people think there is a state called “plussed” that means excited? So when you fail to act excited, you are nonplussed?
So Chelsea Handler made some outrageous public comments about Brangelina, but was later observed by the Daily Mail looking not only nonplussed but completely nonplussed.
They show another photo and note that she looks relaxed. BETTER, Daily Mail writer and copy editor! Now you’re making sense!
I feel like I’ve understood the meaning of both nonplussed and nonchalant my whole life, with no temptation to confuse them They are practically antonyms! What the fuck is so hard about this?
Is this going to be a thing like “literally,” where a word starts meaning its opposite due to public usage (i.e., idiots)?
God, I’m annoyed.
ENGLISH, MOTHERFUCKER, DO YOU SPEAK IT?
I’m losing my shit a little because… 2016 is nonplussing the shit out of me, I guess. And also too as well the USA seems to have developed two competing forms of English. Thanks, Fox “news!” You cunts have shitted up everything!
Just between you and I, irregardless of the news coverage, I could care less about Angelina Jolie.
Quantum, incredible, ultimate, massive, unique.
These come immediately to Mind.
Nonplussed to the UK means cant be arsed. Unbothered.
: )
Maybe she looks ” chalant ” a.f.
Lol.
Godammit, I’m mad too. This is from Oxford Dictionary online:
nonplussed–adjective
1 So surprised and confused that one is unsure how to react. ‘Henry looked completely nonplussed’
2 North American informal: NOT disconcerted; unperturbed.
Usage: In standard use nonplussed means “surprised and confused”, as in: “She was nonplussed at his eagerness to help out.” In North American English, a new use has developed in recent years, meaning ‘unperturbed’—more or less the opposite of its traditional meaning—as in “He was clearly trying to appear nonplussed.” This new use probably arose on the assumption that non- was the normal negative prefix and must therefore have a negative meaning. It is not considered part of standard English.
Oh, God. The world has gone completely insane. Since when does a reputable dictionary collude with illiterates to come up with “North American informal” to just make shit up?
Can’t wait to see what they do with “niggardly.”