"exceptionally able" young men and the Ramsays

“…she could not bear incivility to her guests, to young men in particular, who were poor as churchmice, "exceptionally able," her husband said, his great admirers, and come there for a holiday.”

In describing the numerous house guests that Mrs. Ramsay brings in, Mr. Ramsay uses the word able. At first glance this would sound like a compliment, since now the word is used as a synonym for someone who is competent and has a high capacity for achievement. In context, this would make sense, since Mr. Ramsay uses it to describe his own admirers. By complimenting them, he indirectly compliments himself. However, according to the OED, able in the 14th and 15th centuries meant facile—simplistic, shallow, or easily attained—and complaisant. Other obsolete meanings encompass the idea of decorum (including suitable, proper and appropriate) and advantageous possessions such as wealth, influence and power.

Knowing these definitions makes Mr. Ramsay’s usage of it both ironic and reinforcing. It’s ironic because Mr. Ramsay is indirectly showing himself to be a self-centered authority, surrounding himself with weaker men to make himself look relatively better. The wealth and influence part is especially ironic considering that these men are “poor as churchmice.” The men themselves might not be very impressive, but they fulfill a need in both Mr. Ramsay and his wife. For Mrs. Ramsay, the hint of her male guests’ complaisance and simplicity justify her need to protect them. For Mr. Ramsay it explains the kind of admirers he attracts. He describes his guests the way he would like to be perceived, powerful, influential and proper, but the word carries much more.