I was recently told the term "ludicrous" is an insult. I...

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Word origins, L

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	I was recently told the term "ludicrous" is an insult. I was surprised by this and decided to ask you-is it generally regarded as an insult? By Chris Hansen Asked Dec 1 2006 9:02AM	4 Pts Rate Question

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by Im Alec on Dec 1, 2006 at 9:32 am Permalink

I would say that in most uses I would think of it as an insult. Etymologically (not that etymology necessarily determines current meaning) it is derived from "ludus" a game. In other words it is an intellectual way of saying "you gotta be joking".

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Answer 2 out of 10

by zazzy_one on Dec 1, 2006 at 9:16 am Permalink

But of course. It relates to lack of logic. Humans strive to be logical not illogical.
__________

Whenever there are more than one definition of the word, communication errors can occur. As long as you are armed with the knowledge of the two definitions, you could always clear it up so that the recipient of your compliment (?) can at least know where you're coming from. Shouldn't be a problem with an explanation.

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zazzy_one Dec, 01 2006 at 09:19 AM

I'm inserting the following definition found web-ways. I can see the confusion...if you are referencing absurdly funny and the other person is meaning (which I think is probably the most common English useage) illogical. I think the answer is to explain that you meant definition one, and not definition two.
ludicrous
A adjective
1 farcical, ludicrous, ridiculous
broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce; "the wild farcical exuberance of a clown"; "ludicrous green hair"
2 absurd, cockeyed, derisory, idiotic, laughable, ludicrous, nonsensical, preposterous, ridiculous
completely devoid of wisdom or good sense; "the absurd excuse that the dog ate his homework"; "that's a cockeyed idea"; "ask a nonsensical question and get a nonsensical answer"; "a contribution so small as to be laughable"; "it is ludicrous to call a cot

teknimage Dec, 04 2006 at 09:42 AM

Hey! Speak for yourself, zazzy_one, in your assertion that humans (inferred to mean all) strive to be logical!

Answer 3 out of 10

by Mrs.mezzo is a Wagnerian soprano on Dec 1, 2006 at 9:25 am Permalink

"That's the most ludicrous question I have ever read!" Hmm...sounds pretty insulting to me. ;)

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Answer 4 out of 10

by nchntdmyth on Dec 4, 2006 at 1:32 am Permalink

that is ludicrous
absurdly and utterly ridiculous
which is what ludicrous is something that is utterly ridiculous
the rest of the defintion of ludicrous
because of being absurd, incongruous, impractical, or unsuitable

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Answer 5 out of 10

by WhyamIhere on Dec 4, 2006 at 9:51 am Permalink

Ludacris- rediculous- stupid all the same.

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Answer 6 out of 10

by Answerguy on Dec 4, 2006 at 9:40 am Permalink

No, it's an adjective.

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Answer 7 out of 10

by Anonymoose on Dec 4, 2006 at 9:24 am Permalink

I suppose it depends how it was used. Ludicrous usually mean ridiculous or illogical. But some people do use it to mean crazy or unbelievable. It is all in the context.

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Answer 8 out of 10

by nchntdmyth on Dec 4, 2006 at 1:35 am Permalink

oops wrong place

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Answer 9 out of 10

by mptaker on Dec 4, 2006 at 1:33 am Permalink

I dont think it is.

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Answer 10 out of 10

by AntigoneRising on Dec 1, 2006 at 9:18 am Permalink

It depends upon the situation, of course; however, in general - absolutely. To term someone's opinions, thoughts, actions, etc as "ludicrious" is to invalidate them. No one likes to be invalidated.

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I was recently told the term "ludicrous" is an insult. I was surprised by this and decided to ask you-is it generally regarded as an insult?

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