Pretty

Pretty

Form:

OE - prættig (pæti, pætig)

ME - prate, prathy, prati, pratte (…)

ModE – pretty

Origin:

Prættig = prætt (prat) + -ig (suffix –y)

Prætt – a trick; fraud; a prank.

Suffix –y: from OE suffix –ig; ‘having the qualities of’

Praettig = cunning, crafty, astute, clever

Cognates in other languages:

Dutch pret "trick, joke," German prettig "sportive, funny”, Flemish pertig "brisk, clever"

Development of the meaning:

- between the end of the OE period and the 15th cent. attested in surnames (e.g. Simone Praty)

- 15th century: CLEVERLY OR ELEGANTLY MADE OR DONE;(pretty win)

- 15th century: ATTRACTIVE AND PLEASING IN APPEARANCE - of a person (esp. child/woman), thing or action;

- 15th century: HAVING ALL THE REQUISITE QUALITIES (people – bold, brave, polite, gallant; things: fine, pleasing, appropriate); since 16th century used also in an ironic sense

- 15th century: CONSIDERABLE; since 16th century also as adverb TO A CONSIDERABLE EXTENT (pretty hard)

- 18th century: noun - pretty thing, person or animal

- 19th century: verb - to make or dress oneself up to look attractive

References