Quick, before you read any further, what does "consternation" mean?
...
...
spoiler below
...
...
I'm subscribed to "Word of the day" e-mails from Dictionary.com. Today's Word of the Day was "consternation", and its definition was:
consternation \kon-ster-NEY-shuhn\, noun:
sudden dread or paralyzing terror
However, that's quite a bit... exaggerated, according to the very same Dictionary.com entry on consternation:
a sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in utter confusion; dismay.
A state of paralyzing dismay. See Synonyms at fear.
Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger [syn: alarm]
How exactly do you get from "alarming amazement" or "dismay" to, OMG, "paralyzing terror"?