Words are awesome.

[sarren]

9 Words That Don't Mean What You Think..

Huh, I did not know that 'irregardless' wasn't a word, never really thought about it. I was totally right about 'nonplussed' though - I've been getting very confused about the way I've seen it used recently.

Comments

[neery.livejournal.com]

I knew about "regardless" because "irregardless" is one of those words that always shows up in those "my fanfic pet peeves" rants.

I'm slightly baffled by their use of "ironic", but I might remember the real definition wrong, or it's really just different in English.

[klia.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure where this person got his definitions, but he's wrong about pristine, bemused, enormity, and plethora. I'm talking American usage, of course. ;)

Irregardless has been one of my pet peeves for at least 25 years; plus, it's usually used by blowhard executives trying to make themselves seem smarter. Heh.

(sorry about the previous reply)

[fred-mouse.livejournal.com]

e's wrong about pristine, bemused, enormity, and plethora. I'm talking American usage, of course. ;)

zer definitions pretty much match the way that I would use them, but I'm an Australian, which may have more of an effect than I would have expected. e.g. in my thinking - a pristine mangrove swamp is muddy and disgusting, but untouched by development; and a plethora of options is too many to manage effectivly.

(reply reposted to deal with borked hmtl)

Re: (sorry about the previous reply)

[klia.livejournal.com]

I was kind of surprised to see that the most common (IME) usages aren't the primary(?) definitions, but merriam-webster.com gives both usages:

1: belonging to the earliest period or state : original (the hypothetical pristine lunar atmosphere)
2 a: not spoiled, corrupted, or polluted (as by civilization) : pure (a pristine forest)
b: fresh and clean as or as if new (used books in pristine condition)

1: a bodily condition characterized by an excess of blood and marked by turgescence and a florid complexion
2: excess, superfluity; also: profusion, abundance