Pretty

[Slava]

Okay, you're right, this is a very common word. However, do you know it's etymology?

Did you know that it originally meant "cunning," and other trickery? Rather interesting how it's been turned around, no?

[beck123]

When did we begin using this word as a diminutive "very?" I think that among adults, that is currently the more common meaning: "This is a pretty common word."

I can see the relationship to "fairly," which has the same "very" meaning, just as "fair" can mean "pretty" (well, it used to until recently - one never hears it anymore, except in poetry) in the sense of beauty.

[LukeJavan8]

Yes, that would be a qood answer to receive: when did
it become a diminutive meaning "very". - This is a pretty
small portion. It was a pretty short movie.
(Miss you, Beck).

[Audiendus]

Actually, "very" is an augmentative (i.e. it increases the intensity of an adjective). "Fairly" is a diminutive (it reduces the intensity). "Pretty" and "quite" can be either, depending on the context and/or tone of voice.

"Quite" is a curious word. When it precedes an emphatic word (e.g. amazing, incredible, extraordinary), it increases the emphasis. When it precedes an "all-or-nothing" word (e.g. dead, safe, harmless, right, finished, enough), it stresses the 'absolute' quality. Before other words, however (e.g. good, large, small, long, strong, clever, angry, strange), it reduces the intensity. Occasionally it is ambiguous - e.g. "It was already quite dark" could mean "fairly dark" or "completely dark".

[Slava]

Well, this is turning out to be pretty interesting. As it seems we're all pretty intelligent, maybe we can come up with some answers pretty soon?

[saparris]

If you really want to see how language has changed over time, consider the terms pretty awful and awfully pretty, neither of which contains words that suggest the original meanings.

And then there's pretty penny.

[LukeJavan8]

As in "that cost a pretty penny"?

[saparris]

As in "that cost a pretty penny"?

Yes, as in "Nascar races cost a pretty penny--and are the route of all ovals."

[LukeJavan8]

Giving a whole new meaning to 'going in circles'.