To hate when people use the word 'ignorant' to mean 'rude'?

[Draineddraineddrained]

Ignorant doesn't mean rude. It doesn't mean discourteous. It doesn't mean thoughtless. It is a common, simple word. It has a specific meaning. So whyyy do so many people use it wrong??? It is ACTUALLY ignorant and it drives me crazy!

Sorry. Just saw it in another thread and got in a temper. I'll go and meditate or something.

Cleave.. yes! Is there a word for a word that does that? (Same word with completely opposite meanings?)

And is there also a word for ‘different-looking words that mean the same thing’? For example ‘flammable’ and ‘inflammable’ which apparently mean the same thing, but which you might expect to be opposite in meaning. How does anyone express ‘can’t set it on fire’, if inflammable can also mean flammable? Or is inflammable a word like cleave? And flammable one of those nice straightforward words with only one meaning..?

You are not being unreasonable. And you are my hero for bringing this up! It makes me seethe too

Perhaps for the same reason you used the word "wrong???" OP. People are sometimes ignorant of how to use a word correctly.

It's totally standard in West of Scotland dialect. It's not new - my grandmother used it this way - and we're not confusing it with arrogant or anything else.

My psychopathic neighbour shouted at me over the fence that I was ignorant and arrogant (because I was using a saw and he didn't like the sound)*. It was all I could do not to shout back that he was using the word incorrectly. Feel like it might not have helped my case though

*disclaimer : I am neither of these things, he is an abusive bully and dh and I suspect, quite mentally disturbed in a 'we wouldn't be surprised if he murdered his family in their beds way' rather than a 'struggling with life' way

@Howdoisawwithnosaw

I think they mean that people are ignorant of how to behave properly?

Exactly

Next time there is a WC indicator thread/ bun fight I will suggest use of the word ignorant to mean impolite. Then I will hide the thread.

It's perfectly correct to use it this way. As the dictionary definition covers. It is bizarre that you've decided that as it's termed 'informal usage' it's wrong. It's not!

Equally, there are patterns is using it this way as part of local speech, eg Scotland, as mentioned by PP, and Ireland where I am.

I'm amazed by people who adopt a position and don't even think to check the accuracy of it.

It's more 'polite' OP to say someone is ignorant rather than rude. It assumes that the person being thus described is unaware of the most appropriate response in the circumstances and therefore should not take too much blame for it. It's a courtesy to the discourteous.

@Howdoisawwithnosaw

I think they mean that people are ignorant of how to behave properly?

This is what I thought people did (not me). My Northern Irish family say it in that context a lot

In the Caribbean it’s used to describe rudeness, that’s not new either.

Interesting that this is the same for parts of Ireland/Scotland use it in the same way - I’m wondering if this use was transported to the West Indies by indigenous servants.

I hate it too OP. Yes it can mean ignorant of proper manners /appropriate behaviour but often the people being "ignorant" are fully aware of how they should behave but choose not to! That equals rudeness to me.

@TiffanyAchingsHatFullofSky

Can someone use it in correct context so I know if I'm using it correctly?!

Most people are ignorant of the actual meaning of the word ignorant. (I think that is correct).

Informal seems to me like in this case it means "incorrect usage" though

Informal doesn't mean incorrect though. Presumably you wouldn't argue that all informal uses of language (some of which you probably use all the time) are wrong?

My OED states that, informally, 'ignorant' can mean 'discourteous', so even though I only use it to mean 'lacking knowledge', I think it's unreasonable to insist the other meaning is wrong tbh.

@Squills

Definition from Oxford Languages

adjective
1.
lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated or unsophisticated.
"he was told constantly that he was ignorant and stupid"
2.
INFORMAL
discourteous or rude.
"this ignorant, pin-brained receptionist"

That's a really crap usage example (the second one) because it's ambiguous - I'd interpret it as meaning the first definition not the second, i.e. that the receptionist was empty-headed rather than rude.

I don't use it myself but understand what people mean when they use it even if it does jar, a lot, in my head.

I grew up in SE London and have never heard it used there at all.

I've only heard it from Northern friends so just presumed it was thing up there.

And is there also a word for ‘different-looking words that mean the same thing’? For example ‘flammable’ and ‘inflammable’ which apparently mean the same thing, but which you might expect to be opposite in meaning. How does anyone express ‘can’t set it on fire’, if inflammable can also mean flammable? Or is inflammable a word like cleave? And flammable one of those nice straightforward words with only one meaning..?

Nonflammable @DowningStreetParty

www.thoughtco.com/flammable-inflammable-and-nonflammable-1689390

@echt

I dislike it, not least because it means the original meaning has become virtually unusable, particularly among the younger set, who view it as an insult, and are unaware, i.e. ignorant :o of its earlier meaning.

Soo many English essays where Macbeth was really ignorant. Nearly as bad as the "lifestyle" of people in Austen's novels.

I agree. And if the more common meaning - lack of knowledge - is forgotten, then sayings such as 'ignorance is bliss' or 'ignorance is no defence ' mean something different!