insipid

Overview

Meaning Now

• lacking flavor; tasteless.
• lacking vigor or interest; dull.

Journey

The word originally referred specifically to the lack of flavor in food or drink. By the mid-17th century, it had expanded metaphorically to describe intellectual, artistic, or social situations that failed to provide stimulation or 'flavor.'

Evolution

1. Classical Latin

   in- + sapidus

   “not savory”

   Combination of the prefix in- (not) and sapidus (savory).

2. Late Latin

   insipidus

   “tasteless”

3. 17th-century English

   insipid

   “tasteless or uninteresting”

   Adopted via French 'insipide' or directly from Latin.

Connections

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