While reading Denial by Beverley McLachlin this week, I came upon the word nonplussed.
Nonplussed is one of those words that people don’t use in conversation. We are left to conclude its meaning from where we find it in writing. Up to this week, every time I’d read the word it had meant unperturbed.
In her book, McLachlin used the word in a way that did not mean unperturbed. Quite the opposite. Her character was taken aback and surprised by his circumstance.
Seeing this, I was taken aback and surprised. Nonplussed, as it turns out.
I said to my husband, “What do you think nonplussed means?”
“Surprised,” he said.
Huh. I touched my finger to the word in my e-book and selected “Look up.” The answer came:
I am not nonplussed (unperturbed) by these definitions. I am quite nonplussed (surprised).
What to do with a word with two opposite meanings?
May our politicians never make use of the term. Misunderstanding and world conflict could result.
No, no, nonplussed is a word not to trust.
Somerton Smith 
Nice information
Ha! I love words with meanings like this. Use it at your own risk.
I think it’s a very good thing that no one uses this word in casual conversation. We have enough trouble getting along in this world without that kind of confusion!
Arlene, to me nonplussed suggests 2 opposite meanings. “Non” is a minus and “plus” is a plus. Yeah, they do cancel each other out. Just like the dangerous word “cleave”–to cling to and to cut asunder. I agree with Ally, use at your own risk.
You’re onto something there. This is from dictionary.com: The first records of nonplussed as an adjective come from around 1600. The word nonplus was originally used as a noun, and it comes from the Latin phrase nōn plūs, literally translating as “not more” and meaning “no further,” referring to a state in which nothing more can be done—a standstill.
Ah, the English language. Many from different countries who try to figure it out are nonplussed. 🙂 🙂 I love the word and use it both ways. Ahh, the English language.
You use it both ways! That is so interesting. I will too, from now on. I’ll just make certain that the context lets people know which version I mean. 🙂
Words like this tickle our brains!
Tickle – and maybe make them ache a little!