Etymology

Once I learned how to read and could understand plots and motivations in literature, I became interested in the study of the origin of words and how their meanings have changed throughout history. It fascinates me how we can create words to capture meanings and then apply them to make a point. When I was about 15, one of my teachers told me I was flippant. I had no idea what she meant.

Now I do.

Some of the early definitions of flippant are nimble, talkative and playful. However, I think my teacher was using the current meaning: lacking seriousness, cheeky, irreverent, facetious, impudent, sassy. She may have meant also that I was frivolous, shallow and thoughtless, but I hope not. That would have been insensitive on her part. And had I known then its meaning, it would have crushed me. However, I am a jovial person; I love to laugh. My glass is always half full. But when I am confronted with absurdities, I lose respect and become irreverent and facetious. So she was right. I am flippant.

PVA

2025 March 6