impertinence etymology

Etymology:

  • French: impertinence
  • Latin: impertinentia ("irrelevance, inappropriateness")
  • Prefix in- ("not") + pertinentia ("pertinence, relevance")

Meaning:

  1. Rudeness or disrespect
  2. Irrelevance or inappropriateness

Origin:

The term "impertinence" originated in the 15th century from the Latin phrase impertinentia nocet, nocendo proficit ("impertinence harms, but also benefits in harming"). This paradoxical expression suggests that while impertinence can be harmful, it can also bring positive outcomes, such as attention or provocation.

Over time, the meaning of impertinence has evolved to primarily refer to rudeness or disrespect. However, the connotation of irrelevance or inappropriateness remains in some contexts.

impertinence relate terms

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