Saying 'obtuse' when you mean 'abstruse'

Don't be obtuse, Ramz.

look, i know i've gained a little weight, but there's no way i'm obtuse.

btw what happened to libby. libby, who are you now?

use of "obscure" where "obtuse" should be is the more pressing problem in my experience

I only learned that these didn't mean the same thing recently. How obtuse of me. Another recent surprise was that 'fortuitous' had nothing to do with good luck.

abstruse is one of those words that makes you feel like you're zinging someone when you define it. like sesquipedalian.

even looking up the meaning of sesquipedalian made me feel like I'd been zinged.

What's the word I'm thinking of that's a fancy way of saying 'everyday'?

I remembered! Quotidian!

quotidien

quotidian, sorry

quotidien is the French

In reply to the original question, yes: a co-worker of mine heard Deerhoof for the first time and remarked that it was pretty obtuse music.

I use "obtuse" for people who don't make distinctions, the black-and-white crowd. You know, minds too round and fat for higher-resolution thinking.

ts: abstruse vs. tortuous

Actually, those aren't exactly the same thing. Torturous implies length whil abstruse implies depth

TorTUOUS

I was just thinking that it's funny when people mix up tortuous and torturous, and than I typed the wrong word

OMG! Now I know why I used to misuse obtuse! Thanks ILX. I heart you even more. haha

Abstruse should mean "has a rock-hard six-pack."

I was just thinking that it's funny when people mix up tortuous and torturous, and than I typed the wrong word

lol!