A Delicate Dive into Etymology

It seems to me that a great sum of the worlds woe could be remedied by such a dive. Perhaps this is my undenied linguistic bias speaking. I am however firmly convinced that with the knowledge that 'pretty' once meant ' manly', or that 'lord' in its probable Germanic root meant 'one who guards the loaves', speech is brought into perspective somewhat. Nay! I am convinced that a short look into the development of the second person pronoun would give one a most hearty understanding of English (and the English)

I hardly know where to start upon such a vast topic, and am afeard that this may turn out rather a messy wallow then a delicate dive. It is probably advisable to first mention the, possibly rather obvious, but still immensely useful (and generally forgotten) fact that, language is changing. The meaning of one word that we all understand and use, may well have meant something wildly different a few hundred years ago.

To illustrate my point somewhat, let us consider a certain little and unobtrusive word, 'nice'. When we use this word today we generally mean something along the lines of 'pleasant, agreeable, sweet, kind', and we can get along very nicely in the world without ever knowing what lies behind this nice little word. If you would rather retain your blessed ignorance and continue to use this word with insouciance, I would suggest that you read no further.

The English word, "nice" is tracible to the Latin root 'nescius', literally meaning 'without knowledge' from ne 'not' + scire 'to know'[1]. From Latin to Old French in the 12th century "careless, clumsy, weak, poor, needy, simple, stupid, silly, foolish", from French it passed into English use in the 12-13th centuries "timid, faint-hearted", to "fussy, fastidious" in the late 14th century, to "dainty, delicate" in the 15th century, to "precise, careful" in the 16th century[2]; to "agreeable, delightful" in the mid 18th century.

In 1803 we read;

"I am sure," cried Catherine, "I did not mean to say anything wrong; but it is a nice book, and why should I not call it so?" "Very true," said Henry, "and this is a very nice day, and we are taking a very nice walk; and you are two very nice young ladies. Oh! It is a very nice word indeed! It does for everything." [3]

And then quite ironically, a certain Mr. Fowler pronounced it in 1926;

"too great a favorite with the ladies, who have charmed out of it all its individuality and converted it into a mere diffuser of vague and mild agreeableness." [4]

Despite Mr. Fowler's distain, I think it a rather nice change. (this may be due to that fact that I am a lady)

Now, let us look for contrast sake at a word of almost opposite meaning in modern English; namely that mild word, 'silly'. When we say this today we mean something along the lines of, 'stupid, dull, ignorant, foolish, lacking in judgment' But hold! Look back a few hundred years and we find in Old English 'gesælig' meaning, "happy, fortuitous, prosperous". It evolved from "happy" to "blessed" to "pious," to "innocent" 12th century, to "harmless" to "pitiable" late 13th century, "weak" 14th century, to "feeble in mind, lacking in reason, foolish" in the 1570s and has for the most part retained this meaning until now.

So from happy to foolish, from foolish to pleasant. I cannot tell you why such a change has taken place, there is I dare say many conceivably explanations, but if you only think twice next time you use these words; if perhaps you stifle a laugh when you casually remark upon the 'nice day', or imagine the annoying girl you are calling 'silly' lived in the 12th century; my purpose has been accomplished.

It is possible that not everyone will find will find this as diverting as I do. It is possible that many will not understand why I have dedicated so much of my time in in such a study, and now trying to convince you to do the same.

To this person I merely ask them to remember that;

One mans poison [Old French] is a anther mans poison [Modern English].

1. Our modern English word 'science' is of this same root 'to know'

2. This meaning is still somewhat reserved in such terms as a 'nice distinction' and 'nice and early',

3. Jane Austen, "Northanger Abbey," 1803

4. A dictionary of modern english usage 1926; Henry Watson Fowler.

5. Here is a link to a really useful online etymological dictionary, that you may find useful.