Preposterous Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Literature

• In Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,' many characters and scenarios are preposterous, creating a sense of whimsical absurdity.
• The use of preposterous elements in Shakespeare’s comedies often highlights the foolishness of certain societal norms and behaviors.

Pop Culture

• Movies like 'Dumb and Dumber' often feature preposterous situations that are played for comedic effect.
• The term is frequently used in satire and comedy to critique political situations or decisions that seem illogical.

Psychology

• People are often drawn to preposterous ideas or conspiracy theories, possibly due to a need for excitement or disbelief in the mundane.
• Cognitive dissonance can occur when individuals confront preposterous claims that conflict with their beliefs or knowledge.

Science

• In scientific discourse, preposterous hypotheses are those that lack evidence and are dismissed in favor of more reasonable theories.
• Historical examples show preposterous claims about science, like the idea that heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones, were corrected over time.

Main points about word origin

• The word comes from the Latin 'praeposterus,' which means 'placed backward,' implying things are mixed up.
• In the 17th century, 'preposterous' was used to describe ideas or suggestions considered absurd or nonsensical.

The word 'preposterous' originated from the Latin word 'praeposterus', which means 'inverted' or 'absurd'. It entered the English language in the 16th century. Over time, 'preposterous' has come to signify something that is contrary to reason or common sense, often used to describe absurd or ridiculous situations or behavior.

With rank #16,347, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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• 16344 awkwardly
• 16345 filial
• 16346 fanaticism
• 16347 preposterous
• 16348 pointers
• 16349 dilapidated
• 16350 manoeuvre
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