innuendo
/ˌɪnjuˈɛndoʊ/
noun
Origin
Latin
innuere — to nod to, to signify
Overview
Meaning Now
- An indirect, often derogatory, insinuation or suggestion about a person or thing.
Literal older meaning
by nodding
Language path
Latin → English
Earliest form
innuendo
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The word originated as a legal term in English common law. It was used in indictments and pleadings to specify the meaning of ambiguous words—specifically, it was the phrase in Latin that introduced an explanation of what was meant by an allegedly libelous word.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
innuere
“to signal by nodding”
Compound of in- 'at' and nuere 'to nod'.
- Medieval Latin
innuendo
“by nodding/signifying”
Used in legal documents as a gerund to explain the hidden meaning of a preceding word.
- 16th Century English
innuendo
“an oblique hint”
Adopted from legal texts into general language.
Connections
Word parts
in-
prefix
in/at
nuere
root
to nod
-endo
ending
Latin gerund suffix (by doing/signifying)
Related across languages
French
innuendo
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Related to innuendo
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.