Opposing views

"She was underwhelmed

If that's a word

I know it's not

'Cause I looked it up

That's one of those skills

That I learned in my school"

-"Underwhelmed" by Sloan

Good morning on this Thursday, gentle readers. That quote is the first line of a great song by one of my favorite bands in the world. The song has a bunch of other great lyrics, but that particular section speaks exactly to what I'm writing about today. I mentioned in yesterday's post that I had some more word stuff to write about, and voila, here it is.


It was right around the time that I bought that particular Sloan album that Dusty was in the market for a new car. I was over at his place while he was on the phone with a car dealer who was trying to talk him into the six-cylinder instead of the four. Dusty put him off a little, and then the man asked if he'd even driven a six, thinking that he hadn't but would love the difference in power. "Actually I have," said Dusty, "and honestly, I was a little underwhelmed by it." I looked up at him and smiled in the way that word-nerds do to each other, but he was in the middle of repeating himself to the man who clearly didn't understand what he had said.

I would say that the non-word "underwhelmed" has been used enough by now that it may qualify for actual word status. However, there are many similar 'words' out there that aren't used regularly or at all, and that is what I will try to tackle in this space today. Specifically, I'm talking about words that seem like they should have an obvious opposite word but don't. Before I launch into the small list I've come up with, I want to think of a name for this group. How does "untonyms" sound to you? Got any better suggestions? I'd seriously love to hear them, because that's all I've got so far.

Here is the quintessential example of what I'm talking about. If someone is neatly put together appearance-wise, we don't refer to him or her as "combobulated." Why is that? How did discombobulated start getting used without people knowing what it was defining itself as the opposite of? "Yes sir, I'm ready for the interview. I'm relaxed, confident, and completely combobulated."

Very similarly, I've never heard anyone be described as "shevled." "He strode into the office looking shevled as ever; his freshly-ironed pants and newly-trimmed goatee gave the impression of perfect structure and order." It's so rare in fact, that when I did a Google search for "shevled," it appears that the only time that word is on the internet is when someone mistyped "shelved." Unless turmoil causes certain music albums and movies to be neatly put together, that is.

Ok, let's move on to some more. Ever heard this one? "Man, after watching that movie, I feel steady, strong, and courageous. It was very nerving." I didn't think so. I'm telling you, there are many of these out there, but they never come to mind unless I'm actively listening to the words that are coming out of my mouth. That's not very often, I assure you. Ok, I have a few more, but I'm counting on my faithful (and gentle) readers to keep an ear out for more. "Hey Peter, how many people were at the party?" "24, which is exactly the number I assumed would come. I guess you could say there was an ordinate amount of people." Booyah Johnson! Totally nailed that one.

I'm not sure what to do with the word "disgruntled." If it were "ungruntled," I would have a jolly old time talking about how gruntled I am that the weather's so nice in San Diego right now. Since it's "dis" though, I don't find it quite so easy to manipulate. I guess "displeasure" is the opposite of "pleasure" and "disappear" is the opposite of "appear," so maybe my example works. It doesn't feel as right as the next one though.

"You know, as a white male in this society, certain things have come more easily to me. I guess that's what happens when you're enfranchised by the system." I know, I know, it's another "dis" prefix, but I like this one more. I can't explain it, but I guess there is an aspect of feel to this word game we're playing. You're playing too, right?

Hey, remember that nerving movie I wrote about? As it turns out, the life lessons I learned from it went in one ear and out the other very quickly. It's odd to have a movie leave such a delible mark on me. Hey-o! Score one more for the Klein.

I think I'm out of 'em. Here is my humble request (in two parts): Please let me know of any - ANY - words like these that come to mind. I'd love to have a growing list rattle off every time the topic arises. The second part involves the chief concern of any linguist: usage. I'd love to pick one of these and have all of us start using it in daily speech. Nominate away, friends, for one probably feels better to you than the others. As always, I appreciate the help. I also appreciate emails to ptklein@gmail.com with thoughts, questions, and Car Watch items for my FUF pieces. Some of you (ok, 2 or 3) write in fairly regularly, and it's that compassion and warmth that makes me smile every morning. What can I say, you've got a lot of ruth.

See you tomorrow, folks. Enjoy your Thursday, and I'll see you tomorrow.