Today’s word is a great one to use. It was one that I was using, but wasn’t exactly sure of the meaning. I hate using a word and not being sure if I’m using it correctly! After looking it up I found that it was the absolute most perfect word to use. As per usual, let’s take a look at the dictionary.com definition;
foolish, unintelligent, or silly; stupid: It is surprising that supposedly intelligent people can make such asinine statements.
2.
of or like an ass: asinine obstinacy; asinine features.
Here is how I would use the word asinine:
I don’t understand this place. I’ve never worked someplace where the boss can tell an employee to do something and the employee blatantly doesn’t do it, yet there are no repercussions. It’s not like problems don’t stem from their not doing what they’re supposed to do. This delays the process because now it takes longer for the contracts to get here. Then it takes me longer to enter the information. Then it’s gets to accounting slower and you start having issues with charging credit cards. Why does no one ever reprimand the reps? This company is just asinine. No wonder there’s such a high turn-over!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my use of asinine! How would you use it?
I usually hate using these things as, like, open journals. I wanted this to be useful, or entertaining. So, I’ve decided to add a new spin to this blog thing. While living here in Pittsburgh I realized I’ve gotten into situations where I needed to use words that I’ve either rarely, or have never used before. One positive of moving here is that I’m expanding my vocabulary. I thought it would be fun to share my use of these words. I have discovered new uses for 2 words since I’ve been here. This entry will be about those words. Hopefully from now on, anytime I think of a word, I’ll write one entry about it.
Our first two words actually go together; obtuse and ignorant. Usually when people use the word ignorant, they use it incorrectly. Ignorance is having no knowledge of a subject. Let’s refer to Dictionary.com;
lacking in knowledge or training; unlearned: an ignorant man.
2.
lacking knowledge or information as to a particular subject or fact: ignorant of quantum physics.
Often a person is called ignorant when they are racist or sexist, or any other “-ist” word you can think of. Usually that’s not the case. On occasion it is. Sometimes people are raised in an all white town with a racist family and they really don’t understand that when they say a racist remark in front of a Black or Hispanic or Asian or whatever type of person, it’s wrong. For the most part, people understand what they’re saying.
A word that could be used instead is, obtuse. Usually people who are called “ignorant” are really being obtuse. Again, let’s reference dictionary.com;
not quick or alert in perception, feeling, or intellect; not sensitive or observant; dull.
They just are in their own little world and haven’t paused to look at the crowd they’re in when they say whatever it is that isn’t correct. Here is a great example of the use of “obtuse.” It’s around the 3:00 minute mark.
I use examples of racism and what not to make my point, but obviously I didn’t run into that kind of problem. This is how I would use these words:
I told her that my parents had come from Jersey to visit me and they were sitting around waiting for me, which frustrated me. I thought she was ignorant of the fact. Once she realized it she would allow me to go spend time with them since the system was supposed to be down till late that night. Instead she totally ignored what I had said and focused on the fact that she was worried about whether or not this would make us stay late two days from now. I did not get to go home early, she was too obtuse to realize the point I was making.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my new vocabulary. Feel free to leave examples of how you would use the words ignorant and obtuse.
