Top Ten Words that Originally Meant Something Else
The Top Ten
Bully
Bully originally meant "sweetheart" or "lover" before evolving into its modern meaning of a tormentor.
Awful
Awful once meant "worthy of awe" or "inspiring reverence" rather than something terrible.
Nice
Nice originally meant "foolish" or "ignorant" before shifting to its current meaning of being kind or pleasant.
Sad
Sad used to mean "sated" or "full" before coming to signify sorrow or unhappiness.
Moody
Moody originally meant "brave" or "proud" rather than being emotionally unpredictable.
Disappoint
Disappoint once meant "to remove from office" rather than failing to meet expectations.
Sily
Silly originally meant "happy" or "fortunate" before taking on its modern sense of foolishness.
Torpedo
Torpedo used to refer to an electric ray, a type of fish, before becoming associated with underwater missiles.
Fizzle
Fizzle originally described the sound of quiet flatulence before coming to mean failure.
Buxom
Buxom once meant "obedient" or "flexible" before evolving to describe a plump or full-figured woman.
The Contenders
Gay
It used to mean "happy," but now it's a term for homosexual men.
BAdd New Item