foolish or stupid, not showing thought or understanding
how do we use it?
the customer service department is gearing up for after the holidays, when people wait in long lines to return silly, inappropriate gifts.
word quiz
the current meaning of "silly" is the result of a long string of sense changes. in what language do you think "silly" started its journey of transformation?
a. hindi
b. greek
c. irish gaelic
d. old english
key
[d]
there was nothing silly about picking d as the right answer. "silly" derives from an old english word that meant "happy," "blessed," or "fortunate." it took on new meanings when it was adapted into middle english as "sely." "sely" first meant "innocent" or "harmless," then "pitiable" or "helpless," and finally "miserable" or "unfortunate," which was the complete opposite of the meaning of the old english word. the medieval "innocent, harmless" sense developed into "simple" or "gullible," and finally, in early modern english, it took on the "lacking in sound judgment" meaning that it carries today.
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