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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:
TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 29/03/2026 22:29

You'd get a more nuanced discussion, OP, if you posted this in Pedants' Corner.

This is true.
Report your OP and ask them to move your thread.

I agree with you, by the way.
I think it's extremely annoying.

Jeezonasqueeze · 29/03/2026 22:27

MasterBeth · 29/03/2026 22:19

"Highly professional" = highly pompous

Show quote history

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 ☺️

1000StrawberryLollies · 29/03/2026 22:26

Oh give over.

SinicalMe · 29/03/2026 22:26

I agree especially “super cute.” Make the person saying it sound like a child.

Was having a coffee and a grown man - around 40s said it on a call to a client it sounded really cringy and yes unprofessional.

Egit · 29/03/2026 22:21

It’s like totally super cool to do it tho

AgentPidge · 29/03/2026 22:20

You'd get a more nuanced discussion, OP, if you posted this in Pedants' Corner.
It does sound like something the kids would use. It's not something that really annoys me but I wouldn't use it.

MasterBeth · 29/03/2026 22:19

Jeezonasqueeze · 29/03/2026 22:15

YANBU and we have an issue with people saying this at work.

It's becoming too cringeworthy - especially on calls with highly professional clients.

(it doesn't bother me at home)

"Highly professional" = highly pompous

Arlanymor · 29/03/2026 22:17

What a nasty xenophobic comment about Americans. Truly, that's revolting.

TooManyCupsAndMugs · 29/03/2026 22:16

Since super means beyond or above, it could be argued that using super annoying to mean beyond annoying is a correct use of it!

Jeezonasqueeze · 29/03/2026 22:15

YANBU and we have an issue with people saying this at work.

It's becoming too cringeworthy - especially on calls with highly professional clients.

(it doesn't bother me at home)

BertieBotts · 29/03/2026 22:10

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

DrowningNotWaveing · 29/03/2026 22:09

I love hearing kids say it. Like I'm super excited 😆

AutumnClouds · 29/03/2026 22:03

Seems super reasonable to me, etymologically.

Theunamedcat · 29/03/2026 22:01

JacquesHarlow · 29/03/2026 21:18

I don't want to fall foul of the mods here , but having been on this site and seen posts in the last 30 days, I'm thinking the glass house we're throwing stones from must have very tough perspex.

Is it super or very tough perspex though?

BeKhakiReader · 29/03/2026 22:00

Sorry, I disagree with you, OP

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.

Nikkynakkynoo · 29/03/2026 21:30

.

Nikkynakkynoo · 29/03/2026 21:30

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/super I'll just leave this super helpful link here

toastofthetown · 29/03/2026 21:27

Language evolves, and you’re not the boss of language. You clearly understand that it has a meaning of very in that context so it is interchangeable, even if you don’t like it

ThisSunnyBee · 29/03/2026 21:25

You ok?

Gatekeeper · 29/03/2026 21:24

I always "hear" it said in either a stereotypical squeaky American voice or one with vocal fry. Hate it...

ChocolateMagnum · 29/03/2026 21:24

Language evolves, which is super cool. If you don't like it, why aren't you writing in Old English?

Octavia64 · 29/03/2026 21:23

My daughter would like to disagree with you

Itsmetheflamingo · 29/03/2026 21:22

I think super instead of very sounds excellent

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.

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