unflappable

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English

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WOTD – 29 February 2012

Etymology

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From un- +‎ flap (“to upset, stir”) +‎ -able.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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unflappable (comparative more unflappable, superlative most unflappable)

  1. Remaining composed and level-headed at all times; impossible to fluster; not becoming frustrated or irritated easily. [from 1954]
    Synonyms: collected, cool, even-keeled, imperturbable
    Antonym: flappable
    • 1959, The Economist, volume 190:
      The whole thing looked remarkably like an implacable force meeting an unflappable object.
    • 1978, James D. Margach, The abuse of power: the war between Downing Street and the media from Lloyd George to Callaghan:
      It was for this reason that when Lord Hailsham first described Harold Macmillan as "unflappable'", it became an instant catchword, distancing the incoming Prime Minister from his predecessor
    • 2010 September 26, Gary Younge, “Obama won as cool and unflappable. But presidents need to act angry too”, in The Guardian‎[1], →ISSN:
      Whereas his predecessor was impetuous, Obama was praised for being contemplative and unflappable. Bush had a gut; Obama had a brain.
    • 2023 October 22, HarryBlank, “Waiting to Happen”, in SCP Foundation‎[2], archived from the original on 23 May 2024:
      It took a lot to get Wheeler's pulse going, but Lillian's dangerous joke had done the job. The otherwise unflappable woman was flushed with adrenaline.
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Translations

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