Jay, we can add nonplussed to the list of misused words. This quote from the online Merriam Websters dictionary: "One of the things that most vexes language purists … is when the meaning of a word changes over time. For example, it appears that the traditional sense of the word nonplussed, 'bewildered and at a loss as to what to think,' is slowly giving way to a new (and opposite) sense: 'unfazed.' Even experienced writers are using the new sense."
Thank you again, Jay! Although, Trump's request to Coke for cane sugar instead of HFCS was out of his lane, I actually agreed. I drink Mexican Coke for migraine and it just tastes better!
The other meddling has been disturbing.
I'm in favor of old slang! I'm afraid I would say something unintentionally vulgar or terribly wrong in today's slang.
I had to look reticent up, because in my mind that is how I learned to use it. Is it because he references one thing in particular: revealing one's thoughts or feelings?
I always thought it was a more sophisticated way to say : reluctant?
The car tidbit reminded me of a jailer I knew years ago. I spotted a new Camaro (hey, this was in the late 1980s when Chevrolet was still a thing) parked in her usual spot outside the courthouse. When she confirmed it was her car, I said "Vera, people are going to start talking," She took the implication well.
When I have free time later today. I’m going to watch that South Park episode. I saw enough this morning to appreciate the creative viciousness.
I looked up “reticent” to double check myself! I was raised by a newspaperman and a librarian, so I appreciate your frustration with inappropriate use of language (and grammar) and love of free speech.
I do use this word when I mean "reluctant," so I took Jay's correction and your concurrence seriously.
However, when I looked up reticent in Webster's online, "reluctant" was the third definition, after "reserved" and "restrained." This third meaning has only been in use for 50 years, so maybe I'm part of the problem, and an embarrassment to my mom (also a librarian)?
I know that this has been a problem since even before Trump 1, but when I heard the team name story I thought, "Where is our party of limited government?"
Sounds like a Bernie Sanders economy. Sounds like "degrowth." Sounds like "locovore." Kind of shows that all economic idiocy, regardless of the label under which it's marketed, ends up producing the same cruddy results.
"(Are you sick of my antique slang?)"
No. One of the joys of being late-middle-aged is that we can use all the slang we've ever learned in our longish lives. I feel like it's an achievement when one of my teenaged or young adult children says, "Nobody says that anymore but you, Mama."
I always assume that by the time I hear a word, nobody is saying it anymore. And my grown sons (and their wives) are all too willing to confirm that. :)
Jay, we can add nonplussed to the list of misused words. This quote from the online Merriam Websters dictionary: "One of the things that most vexes language purists … is when the meaning of a word changes over time. For example, it appears that the traditional sense of the word nonplussed, 'bewildered and at a loss as to what to think,' is slowly giving way to a new (and opposite) sense: 'unfazed.' Even experienced writers are using the new sense."
Thank you again, Jay! Although, Trump's request to Coke for cane sugar instead of HFCS was out of his lane, I actually agreed. I drink Mexican Coke for migraine and it just tastes better!
The other meddling has been disturbing.
I'm in favor of old slang! I'm afraid I would say something unintentionally vulgar or terribly wrong in today's slang.
I know what you mean, Shauna! Thx.
Antique slang? I think it's groovy.
I had to look reticent up, because in my mind that is how I learned to use it. Is it because he references one thing in particular: revealing one's thoughts or feelings?
I always thought it was a more sophisticated way to say : reluctant?
I haven't tired of reading anything you post Jay.
Thx!
Welcome
The car tidbit reminded me of a jailer I knew years ago. I spotted a new Camaro (hey, this was in the late 1980s when Chevrolet was still a thing) parked in her usual spot outside the courthouse. When she confirmed it was her car, I said "Vera, people are going to start talking," She took the implication well.
When I have free time later today. I’m going to watch that South Park episode. I saw enough this morning to appreciate the creative viciousness.
I looked up “reticent” to double check myself! I was raised by a newspaperman and a librarian, so I appreciate your frustration with inappropriate use of language (and grammar) and love of free speech.
I do use this word when I mean "reluctant," so I took Jay's correction and your concurrence seriously.
However, when I looked up reticent in Webster's online, "reluctant" was the third definition, after "reserved" and "restrained." This third meaning has only been in use for 50 years, so maybe I'm part of the problem, and an embarrassment to my mom (also a librarian)?
I'm tired of hearing “language evolves" as an all-purpose excuse for sloppy word choices and bad grammar.
👍
I know that this has been a problem since even before Trump 1, but when I heard the team name story I thought, "Where is our party of limited government?"
I'd rather see Trump messing with team names than his ill-conceived threats to cure college sports of its ills by executive order.
Fair enough.
I think your antique slang is just swell.
Even spiffing!
"Less selection, higher prices."
Sounds like a Bernie Sanders economy. Sounds like "degrowth." Sounds like "locovore." Kind of shows that all economic idiocy, regardless of the label under which it's marketed, ends up producing the same cruddy results.
"(Are you sick of my antique slang?)"
No. One of the joys of being late-middle-aged is that we can use all the slang we've ever learned in our longish lives. I feel like it's an achievement when one of my teenaged or young adult children says, "Nobody says that anymore but you, Mama."
I always assume that by the time I hear a word, nobody is saying it anymore. And my grown sons (and their wives) are all too willing to confirm that. :)
!