unflappable

English

WOTD – 29 February 2012    

Etymology

un- + flap (“upset, stir, scandal, controversy”) + -able

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ʌnˈflæpəbəl/

Adjective

unflappable (comparative more unflappable, superlative most unflappable)

1. Remaining composed and level-headed at all times; unswayed by adversity or excitement; impossible to fluster; not becoming frustrated or irritated easily. [1954 to date]
   • 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

Synonyms

• (remaining composed under pressure): collected, cool, even-keeled

Antonyms

• (remaining composed under pressure): flappable

Related terms

• flappable
• unflappability
• unflappableness
• unflappably

Translations

remaining composed and level-headed at all times

• Finnish: järkähtämätön (fi)
• German: unerschütterlich (de)

• Russian: невозмутимый (ru) (nevozmutimyj)