tacky etymology

Etymology:

The word "tacky" is derived from the Dutch word "takig," which means "sticky" or "adhesive." It was first used in English in the 18th century to describe cloth that was sticky due to starch or glue.

Meaning:

  • Unattractive, tasteless, or in poor taste
  • Cheaply made or gaudy
  • Sticky or adhesive

Origin:

The earliest recorded use of "tacky" in English was in 1741, in a letter from the English author Samuel Johnson. Johnson wrote: "The lace is tackie, and the silk is but indifferently good."

By the 19th century, "tacky" had come to be used to describe anything that was considered vulgar, gaudy, or in poor taste. The word was often used to describe the furnishings and decorations of lower-class homes.

In the 20th century, "tacky" began to be used to describe a more general sense of bad taste. It could be used to describe anything from a gaudy outfit to a tasteless joke.

Today, "tacky" is a widely used word that can be applied to a variety of situations. It is often used in a humorous or ironic way to indicate that something is distasteful or ridiculous.

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