Confounded

/kənˈfaʊndəd/ adjective

Definition

Confused or perplexed, or used as a mild curse word meaning 'annoying' or 'frustrating'.

Etymology

From Latin 'confundere' ('con-' together + 'fundere' to pour or mix). The literal meaning was 'mixed together,' which evolved to mean 'confused in mind' by medieval times.

Kelly Says

In Victorian literature, 'confounded' was used constantly as a mild curse because people wanted to express frustration without actually swearing—it's basically the formal version of 'ugh' or 'darn it.'

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