Uninterest vs disinterest

[Madame Manga]

Removed for personal reasons; I apologize.

 

[damppanties]

indifference

Uninterest is a new word to me so if I had been reading your story it would have jumped out at me and probably struck me as wrong. Even though I've just been to the dictionary definition, it still feels weird to me. I would have preferred indifference. But that is only about my comfort level, definitely not a mistake in your writing.

About 'odd phrasing'; I've read two stories of yours so far and remembered them (which means a lot with the amount of reading I do on Lit.). I remember that you have a distinct style of writing. I rather enjoyed it though so I don't know what the critic was complaining about.

Can't comment about the other complaints without seeing the work.

 

[Uther_Pendragon]

Once upon a time, "disinterest" was lack of interest;
"disinterested" was the opposite of "interested."
Then, "disinterested" came to mean objective. (You can
see how this change occured. An impartial judge is one
who doesn't have an interest in the outcome of the case.)
"Disinterest" retained its old meaning. I don't recognise
"uninterest" as an English word.

 

[Guest]

In a public review of a story of mine (not published here for lack of sex) the critic objected to this word in this sentence:

"Yes?" said Cameo, trying to convey uninterest in her ex-husband's opinions on any subject whatsoever.

She boldfaced "uninterest" as I have done here and characterized its use as "extremely awkward". When I read the review I emailed her and asked her to be more specific, but have as yet received no answer.

I have a sneaking suspicion that she would prefer "disinterest" in this context, and my reply would be, of course, that "disinterest" is objectivity, a lack of bias through having no stake in the matter at hand. "Uninterest" is indifference, and of course, that is what I'm talking about.

Or is it something else?

I've never heard the word 'uninterest' used before either. This intrigued me and got me reaching for the COD. Uninterest is not listed as a verb, but uninterestedness is. That sounds bloody awkward to me! Disinterest is a verb, which makes it even more odd as to why uninterest isn't. Uninterest isn't listed at all, but the adjectives uninterested and unintersting are.

Having read your passage the use of the word doesn't seem right somehow. I, personaly, would have used the phrase 'lack of interest.' But is that what you meant it to mean? Maybe 'indifference towards' would work?

I'm with you on the different meanings of uninterest and disinterest, they do convey different feelings.

Lou

 

[snooper]

Shorter Oxford lists uninterest as existing since the late 19th century as a noun meaning indifference.
Disinterest is also a noun as well as a verb.

I see nothing wrong with your sentence, though I might well have used "indifference" myself. "Disinterest" is definitely not what you are trying to say.

 

[oggbashan]

"Yes?" said Cameo, trying to convey uninterest in her ex-husband's opinions on any subject whatsoever.

I think the critic may be right on the word "uninterest" despite the opinions on other issues.

I would rephase it as:

"to convey (PERHAPS WITH "total" OR "her complete") lack of interest in her ex-husband's ..."

"to convey indifference to her ex-husband's ..."

"to show her indifference ..."

"uninterest" doesn't seem to work in this context.

Og

 

[raphy]

Uninterest's just a clumsy word.. It interrupts the flow of the sentence, which is fine if that's what you're going for, but I didn't get the impression that that's what you wanted..

If we're talking about a direct word-swap, I'd go with indifference, personally.

 

[Guest]

Yep, 'clumsy' it is, but maybe not for you, MM.

tersely, Perdita

 

[raphy]

Oops, am I being gauche again, 'dita?

Raph, chastened.

 

[Guest]

Oops, am I being gauche again, 'dita?

Only if you feel it, hon.

I had no intent re. you in that post, just wanted to let Madame know it was my own personal response.

My, you're sensitive. I like that.

'dita

 

[Madame Manga]

I'm getting the feeling that "indifference to" might have been more recognizable for most people than "uninterest". My ear is sometimes deaf in this respect--I think I must read all the wrong sorts of books, which might also account for my apparent lack of properly up-to-date political opinions.

MM

 

[Guest]

Madame: put that self-doubt away! We're all just lit-wankers. You ask for opinions, it's all there is. Keep your 'self', eh?

regards, Perdita

 

[gauchecritic]

"Yes?" said Cameo, trying to convey uninterest in her ex-husband's opinions on any subject whatsoever.

MM

I've never heard of uninterest either. Like Loulou says uninteresting and uninterested are the closest in my vocab.

How about:

"Yes?" said Cameo, trying to convey how uninteresting she felt her ex-husband's... etc

As for politics maybe she'd like to just re-write the whole story for you.

Gauche

 

[Jenny _S]

"Yes?" said Cameo, trying to convey uninterest she held in her ex-husband's opinions on any subject whatsoever.

MM,
I've worked witht this for several hours. Either "uninterested" or "Unintrest" I cannot seem to be able to make work. I would humbly suggest you substitute "the total disregard" which both conveys the meaning as I understand the sentence and reads much better.

Jenny (with a humble opinion based upon Tripe)

 

[Madame Manga]

Removed--I apologize.

 

[snooper]

... My ear is sometimes deaf in this respect ...

A piece of advice I found invaluable was to read a work aloud, or even better get someone else to read it to you.

Somehow the mind's "ear" can be deaf, but the physical one often isn't. The beauty of someone else reading it to you is that their mistakes will show what the great band of readers will also find difficult.