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Old 08-20-2013, 06:13 AM   #12
DanaC
We have to go back, Kate!
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 25,964
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clodfobble View Post
It logically seems to mean "unenthused" or "not impressed," but in fact means "speechless." Many people use it when they intend the former meaning and don't even have any idea that it actually doesn't mean that at all.
Ahhh gotcha. It's always meant kind of stunned or confused into silence to me....bemused or taken aback by something.


That explains why someone once picked me up on my use of it on a forum. I'd used it (correctly) to say I was nonplussed by something someone had said to me. And someone posted 'are you sure you meant to say nonplussed'. Their comment made no sense to me...but now it kind of does. They must have thought nonplussed meant unimpressed or not enthused. When what I was trying to say was that something someone had said to me was so off kilter and unexpected I was entirely taken aback and had no idea how to respond.
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Last edited by DanaC; 08-20-2013 at 06:18 AM.
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