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Original poster

“Super” is not interchangeable with “very”

80 replies

GloiredeDijon · 29/03/2026 21:12

Stop using “super” when you actually mean very or extremely.

Unless you are an American of course, in which case carry on because apart from anything else language is the least of your problems.

OP posts:
nevernotmaybe · 30/03/2026 02:30

MyThreeWords · 29/03/2026 21:21

Meh. A few decades ago, people would have said "Stop saying 'Super' to mean fantastic or wonderful. They would have insisted on its earlier meaning of 'above'.

Slangy-type expressions are going to evolve relatively fast.

Nearly 200 years since it first appeared in recorded usage is pushing the term "a few decades" to quite an extreme I feel.

FrauPaige · 30/03/2026 02:17

S'pose it's global English influencing pop culture. It's very normal to use super in continental western Europe - the French, German, Spanish etc all use it in this way and have done for ages. Super gut!

Original poster
GloiredeDijon · 30/03/2026 01:38

Zennia · 29/03/2026 23:31

Weren't people saying "super duper" in the 1970s?
Language evolves and "super" is such a banal word. I'm not sure why you'd get het up about it in particular.

That is a different usage.
It isn’t the word I object to, it’s the specific use.

OP posts:
Pinkissmart · 30/03/2026 01:13

BertieBotts · 29/03/2026 22:10

Sorry, I live in Germany, it's the German influence, is that allowed Grin

Sadly it’s not. Anything people don’t agree with must be American and therefore wrong and bad

whattheysay · 30/03/2026 01:02

I don’t say it that much as I am quite old and not American but I’ve still said it on occasion, people say it a lot more now and it is interchangeable with very.

Dontcrymysweetpotato · 30/03/2026 00:59

BertieBotts · 29/03/2026 22:10

Sorry, I live in Germany, it's the German influence, is that allowed Grin

I find the German influence uber annoying.

Dawnintheageofaquariams · 30/03/2026 00:19

Veryman
Verydry
Verycallifragilisticexpialidocius

You are super odd, OP

malware · 30/03/2026 00:11

The trouble is that "very" has lost its meaning due to overuse. The adjective "super" is much more expressive and has a element of irony about it which "very" does not have.

People use it at work all the time. So someone might say "that's super exciting". We all know it's work, so chances are it's probably not at all exciting. But it's entertaining and jollies the day along. Which "very" would never do.

LivingTheDreamish · 30/03/2026 00:09

I think it's entered the lexicon OP. I quite like it.

mumof5five · 30/03/2026 00:06

BlueDressingGowns · 29/03/2026 21:36

I really like this usage and keep meaning to use it more but then forgetting and just saying “very” like it’s 1996 or something.

This made me LOL 🤣

pinkdelight · 29/03/2026 23:44

It’s already happened. There’s nothing you can do. Rage by all means but you’re wrong. It means what it means now. Things weren’t fixed because of you and how you want them to stay.

lottiegarbanzo · 29/03/2026 23:38

I know it’s become normal but it always sounds insincere to me.

SwedishEdith · 29/03/2026 23:36

Super for very has been around for at least a decade. It still makes the user sound a bit vacuous but I think we're stuck with it. What I noticed a lot recently is things like "I was so, so upset", "He was was so, so unkind". It sounds so (just the one) gushing or theatrical.

Zennia · 29/03/2026 23:31

Weren't people saying "super duper" in the 1970s?
Language evolves and "super" is such a banal word. I'm not sure why you'd get het up about it in particular.

AspiringChatBot · 29/03/2026 23:26

I'm glad you exempted "Americans", given that in US English it actually does mean "very" (among other things).

Even your American PM knew that !!! 👍

“Super” is not interchangeable with “very”
ajarintennessee · 29/03/2026 23:25

I’m super relaxed about this. But as I duck off to the supermarket this evening I do blink at all of the superlatives in the advertising. I have to go this evening as I can’t get there at supersonic speeds and I work full time in the super (Australian term) industry.

wandawaves · 29/03/2026 23:18

You're being super unfair OP.

Beachtastic · 29/03/2026 23:16

It's not superabundant usage, though, is it? I wouldn't get supercharged about it. It's a bit of a superfine point.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 29/03/2026 23:11

It irritates me too.

See also: amazing. Used for trivial things that are absolutely not amazing. I texted someone to say DD found her hat, following from an earlier message asking if her hat was there, and the reply was 'amazing!'. Really, it's amazing a kid found a hat in their house? Also used to confirm arrangements. See you at 4. I'll order for you if I'm there first. Reply - amazing.

MasterBeth · 29/03/2026 23:05

Jeezonasqueeze · 29/03/2026 22:27

They pay my salary and keep hundreds of people employed in an absolutely awful job market - so I don't give a shit if it's pompous or not

Like I say, it doesn't bother me at home ☺️

Show quote history

I am highly professional and don't give a shit if someone says "super" to mean "very".

mazedasamarchhare · 29/03/2026 23:02

I think it’s quite fun it’s returned to modern parlance, it was a super popular word in the 70s, admittedly used with its intended purpose, but word meaning changes over time. Just waiting for the other 70/80 words; ‘one’, ‘wizard’ and ‘spiffing’ Maybe wizard and ‘spiffing’ are due a resurrection into ones vernacular super soonGrin

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 29/03/2026 22:51

GloiredeDijon · 29/03/2026 22:37

I realise that Pedants' Corner is my natural home but I wanted to spread the word to a wider audience.
Fully expected some disagreement.

Aye, hen - and you got it.
Grin

guinnessguzzler · 29/03/2026 22:50

Yes, thank you, OP! Absolutely does my head in. Not sure why really, possibly because it feels American.

TwistedWonder · 29/03/2026 22:39

I’m with you. This overuse of super in last few years drives me insane

Original poster
GloiredeDijon · 29/03/2026 22:37

I realise that Pedants' Corner is my natural home but I wanted to spread the word to a wider audience.
Fully expected some disagreement.

OP posts:
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