# I'm nonplussed and bemused with this fulsome review **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 15, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926 "2009-10-15T17:31:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/1 "2009-10-15T17:31:38Z")
OK, I understand that prescriptivist grammarians are fighting a losing battle and should not really fight that battle at all. Me and my friends are not axing for who the prescriptivist bell tolls for – it tolls for my friends and I. Be that as it may, what can be done about words like nonplussed and bemused? They are words where it’s usually difficult to get the meaning from the context, and whose meaning is changing right now, as I write this (well, has been changing and will continue to change). Nonplussed used to mean “to put at a loss as to what to think, say, or do; bewilder”, but is beginning to mean “unimpressed”. Aside: let’s face it, it really seems like it should mean “unimpressed”. How would you figure that out from the context? “She walked into the room with the duck on her head. He was nonplussed.” You can’t! Similarly, bemused used to mean “to cause to be bewildered, confuse” or “to cause to be engrossed in thought”, but now it’s starting to mean “amused”, or maybe “wryly amused”. “He was bemused when she walked into the room with a duck on her head” – what does it mean? Fulsome – that’s even worse! Does it mean “excessive or insincere”, as in “he gave her fulsome praise”? Or, does it mean full, rich, or abundant, as in “he gave her fulsome praise”? Now, people are also starting to use it as a pseudo-intellectual way of saying “full” – “we need to give this problem a fulsome review.” Ack! Is there a word for words whose meaning is changing, thereby making them totally useless? What started me on this lame rant was a stupid novel I just read by Clive Cussler (I do not recommend this book), he kept using “bemused” in the “wryly amused” sense (I think! It’s hard to tell from context) and it was driving me batty. (Anyway, don’t get me started on words like bi-weekly or bi-monthly, which could mean “twice per…” or “every two…” – talk about worthless!) OK, I feel better now. (BTW, should this have been here or MPSIMS? I usually lurk at CCC, GD or the BBQ pit, so I don’t know these other boards that well) ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/2 "2009-10-15T17:47:23Z")
Unless this post was sanctioned by the moderators, you may be sanctioned by the moderators. (sanctioned: permitted or a punishment) ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/3 "2009-10-15T17:51:15Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Unless this post was sanctioned by the moderators, you may be sanctioned by the moderators. > > (sanctioned: permitted or a punishment) Whoa, when I read that, my head literally exploded! (At least “sanctioned” has had those two conflicting meanings for a while. But, good addition, anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/4 "2009-10-15T17:54:40Z")
Do you have any citations for these new usages? Because I’ve yet to hear them. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/5 "2009-10-15T18:16:33Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Do you have any citations for these new usages? Because I’ve yet to hear them. > **[Language Log » Nonplussed about nonplussed](https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=453)** > **[Nonplussed and bemused, followed by meh.](http://spoonreader.blogspot.com/2008/11/nonplussed-and-bemused-followed-by-meh.html)** > > Add bemused to the list of words -- like nonplussed -- that seem to be morphing before our eyes. The Boston Globe found several instances ... > **[Perplexed by "Nonplussed" and "Bemused" : Word Routes : Thinkmap Visual...](https://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordroutes/perplexed-by-nonplussed-and-bemused/)** > > Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus: Word Routes - "Nonplussed" and "bemused" have developed new meanings. Should we care? and, most amusing but least authorative (and, not totally safe for work): [http://www.cracked.com/article\_15664\_9-words-that-dont-mean-what-you-think.html](http://www.cracked.com/article_15664_9-words-that-dont-mean-what-you-think.html) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/6 "2009-10-15T18:29:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Whoa, when I read that, my head literally exploded! Then we should cleave it together. Afterwards, we can cleave it apart. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/7 "2009-10-15T18:39:54Z")
I overlooked your cites. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/8 "2009-10-15T18:53:53Z")
I agree that the enormity of this sort of behavior is simply enormous. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/9 "2009-10-15T19:04:28Z")
I’m reticent to reply. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/10 "2009-10-15T19:47:39Z")
Growing up, the word “outstanding” meant, to my young mind, “great, good, splendid, magnificent.” Then one day in 5th grade my teacher starting going on about a list of “students who had work outstanding” (meaning undone) and quite a few of us had bemused (as in confused) looks on our faces. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/11 "2009-10-15T19:50:42Z")
Subtraction problems always leave me a little nonplussed. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/12 "2009-10-15T19:50:58Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Whoa, when I read that, my head literally exploded! You missspelled “asplode”. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/13 "2009-10-16T13:04:53Z")
OK, for the record, I hate you all. :mad: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/14 "2009-10-16T14:52:24Z")
While all those words you mention in the OP are indeed confusing to the average english speaker, nonplussed is the penultimate of them all! ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/15 "2009-10-16T15:30:36Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > [Language Log » Nonplussed about nonplussed](http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=453) > [spoonreader: Nonplussed and bemused, followed by meh.](http://spoonreader.blogspot.com/2008/11/nonplussed-and-bemused-followed-by-meh.html) > [Perplexed by "Nonplussed" and "Bemused" : Word Routes : Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus](http://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordroutes/1609/) > > and, most amusing but least authorative (and, not totally safe for work): > > [9 Words That Don't Mean What You Think | Cracked.com](http://www.cracked.com/article_15664_9-words-that-dont-mean-what-you-think.html) Those are good links. I’m just going to peruse them and I’ll be back momentarily. ---
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/16 "2009-10-16T15:33:13Z")
I have oversight over my company’s response to problems that occur due to an employee’s oversight. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/17 "2009-10-16T15:34:21Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > While all those words you mention in the OP are indeed confusing to the average english speaker, nonplussed is the penultimate of them all! So what’s the ultimate, then? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/18 "2009-10-16T15:42:18Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > So what’s the ultimate, then? Frisbee. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/19 "2009-10-16T15:49:05Z")
> [@BobArrgh](#): > > I have oversight over my company’s response to problems that occur due to an employee’s oversight. OK, kidding aside for just a moment, if I may. There are words that have two meanings, I’m not whining about that. However, you can usually figure out which oversight (or sanction) you mean from the context. Words like bemused and nonplussed are often much trickier to figure out from context – maybe because they are adjectives, instead of nouns (oversight, sanction) or verbs (sanction). “Peruse” is just misused, but at least both meanings have something to do with reading or studying something – the question is whether you meant carefully or lightly. Nonplussed, for example, will end up having two completely different meanings (confused, unimpressed), which will be nearly impossible to tell from context. When I read it, I’m left wondering what the heck the author meant. OK, back to the pun-ishment. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926/20 "2009-10-16T15:50:08Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Frisbee. Dude! Good spirit. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-nonplussed-and-bemused-with-this-fulsome-review/513926.md?page=2)