#26: Nice — This Compliment Originally Meant Stupid and Foolish episode artwork

EPISODE · May 11, 2026 · 1 MIN

#26: Nice — This Compliment Originally Meant Stupid and Foolish

from The Why of Words

Discover how calling someone 'nice' might actually be an insult. The word's journey from Latin 'nescius' (ignorant) through Old French reveals a surprisingly dark medieval past where 'nice' meant foolish, not kind.---More from Sticky Note Podcasts:Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)stickynotepodcasts.com

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#26: Nice — This Compliment Originally Meant Stupid and Foolish

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This episode was published on May 11, 2026.

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Discover how calling someone 'nice' might actually be an insult. The word's journey from Latin 'nescius' (ignorant) through Old French reveals a surprisingly dark medieval past where 'nice' meant foolish, not kind.---More from Sticky Note...

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