I am ignorant

[BroccoliSpears]

I had always understood 'ignorant' to mean uninformed or unaware; uneducated about something in some way.

I have so often heard it used in a different way that I'm starting to think that it's me who is wrong, and there is another meaning that I don't know.

I can't quite put my finger on the other meaning, but I think it boils down to 'rude'.

Any thoughts or explanations?

[suzywong]

no, no, you are right
I know where you are coming from "That's just ignorant"!" is often used as a riposte to affronting behaviour, but it is a misnoma (sp) and you are RIGHT! One has to be ignorant ABOUT something.

[BroccoliSpears]

Oh glad it's not just me!

I had a friend who always used to say of her ex that his problem was that he was just so ignorant. I was always curious to know exactly what she meant by that.

[Twiglett]

no I think ignorance can have negative overtones much as stupid does but to less effect

after all describing someone as stupid could literally just be a comment on their intellectual abilities, but we all take it as an insult

ignorant can be used in the same way in many respects

[Twiglett]

I am ignorant of many things

it's like Bush really .. 'the things we don't know we don't know"

[Twiglett]

Bush Rumsfeld

[suzywong]

yes, but one is always ignorant of or about or to
and stupid is just Plain stupid is it not? Hmmm?

For the love of GOd don't make me call my ex-headmistress English Teacher Pendant Mighty Brained Smart Arsed Mother and as her, please I beg you

[SenoraPostrophe]

I think when people say "that's just ignorant" - they mean that the person is unaware of something they should be aware of (eg. manners, or the effect of their actions on other people). And the word "ignorant" is perjorative - someone who simply doesn't know something and doesn't have reason to know it is "innocent" or "naive".

but rude is probably a better word. I think people sometimes use "ignorant" instead simply because it has more syllables.

[beansmum]

According to my dictionary ignorant can either mean 'lacking knowledge' (presumably about something particular) or 'not polite; rude'

[scanner]

This is one of my pet hates. I think that people use to word to mean to ignor. Someone I know used it the other day when she said she was ill and didn't want to hug her friends child - she said 'I felt so ignorant'.

[Twiglett]

she felt so ignorant because the mode of conduct in her social group would lead her to believe that hugging a friend's children was the correct way to behave. To not do so would make her feel ignorant or rude

[suzywong]

bow to superior pedantic knowledge
am always very impressed by the use of the term perjorative

[MrsJohnCusack]

the use of this word to mean 'stupid' really gets on my nerves. Couldn't tell you why

[UnquietDad]

Yes, people talk about "ignorant" people in a broad and sweeping way to mean rude or selfish or arrogant or stupid people. Very lazy usage.

Another example of how the language is "changing", but only because of some people not knowing how to use a term correctly.

[UnquietDad]

For further examples see:
enormity
fulsome
infer

[RosaIsRed]

Also
decimate
disintererested
floor

[RosaIsRed]

Actually, I think disintererested might be one I made up myself. I meant disinterested.

[monkeytrousers]

That's why traditionally ignorance is no excuse!

[monkeytrousers]

That was via me Jura..sorry abotu that.

I had accused soemone of being ignorant - rather than the more personal 'stupid'

[monkeytrousers]

God, me is still dizzy, an still turning such circles around here.

Thank C**t I never started this this thread!

I'mm off to watch Wargames and dissapear up my own teenage ass!