Mr. & Mrs. English

"Nice" Etymology


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In today's episode of our English language podcast we're discussing the long and detailed history of the word "nice" and its evolution from its original Latin meaning of "ignorant" to its current, often overused, sense of "pleasant".


Our sources examine the social and cultural shifts that influenced the word's meaning, including its association with luxury, coy behaviour, and refinement.


The sources also explore the irony of how "nice" has become a less valuable term in contemporary language, especially within dating culture, where it can be used to describe men who are perceived as lacking assertiveness.


#etymology #englishlanguage

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Mr. & Mrs. EnglishBy Mr. & Ms. English