We’re Not Just The “c-word!” No Not That Word–the “cute” Word!

Jan. 26, 2010 - PRLog -- So let’s delve into this word a little deeper. Where did the word “cute” come from?  When was it first used?  And, why does it now carry an undertone or indirect meaning when used as a compliment?  Well, first a little history – the word “cute” is interestingly enough derived from, and is the aphetic form of “ACUTE.” You may be asking yourself, “How in the heck can these two words be related?“  Cute, meaning “keenly perceptive or discerning and shrewd,” was first recorded and published in a dictionary back in 1731.  

The word cute, etymologist’s believe, became a term of approval for things indicative of acuteness.  If anything, the word “cute” is a perfect example of how one word can form and mean something totally different, and at the same time become dissociated from the word from which it was derived.  It wasn’t until 1834 that the casual sense of attractive or pleasing was recorded as an American English student’s slang word – hmm, go figure!

“How do I look?”  You notice the finished product is anything but subtle or “attractive,” given she is 5’2 and is wearing a mini-skirt along with thigh-high boots – you secretly cringe, but remember you’ve already slurred out pleasantries while she was incoherently fussing about, (or so you thought).  Now you are stuck with the dilemma of whether or not you’re going to tell her like it is, or, have the angst-ridden duty of saying something positive and nice, even though she looks unsightly (come on now, we’ve all been there, LOL!) – SO…you start to utter, with the most ingenuous intonation, “Oh, you look so CUTE!” (enunciating each letter of the word “cute” as well as pronouncing it as if it were spelled with 5-U’s)! Need I say more?

Cute has also been associated with being “quaint,” which we all know can mean peculiar, odd or weird.  I, on the other hand, being an ex-valley-girl from California, would say, “Trippy,” if something was odd or peculiar.  I, personally, cannot wrap my brain around using the word “cute” to describe anything weird.

The word “cute,” still considered a positive word in the dictionary, thrown out in the context of a compliment towards a petite girl, an older woman, or even a man for that matter, not only borders on insulting (so I’ve discovered in my research), but invokes feelings of wonderment as to what was really meant?  It’s really quite contrived when you stop and think about it.

Unfortunately, petite woman are often labeled as cute, cuddly, sweet, fragile, even sometimes weak.  On the contrary – petite women are beautiful, intelligent, focused and strong!  Just look at our own Editor-in-Chief, Ann Lauren!  She is all of these adjectives and more!

For the complete story go to
http://bellapetite.com/petite-not-just-the-c-word-no-not-...

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Written by: Tana Corporon

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