Learn English – the origin of “pretty” as slang for “somewhat”

etymologyslang

We now often hear phrases like:

That's pretty interesting.

The word "pretty" here is used to say "somewhat," "considerably/rather," or something along those lines (if a little stronger).

However, this definition doesn't appear in any dictionary I've searched.

What is the earliest known use of this form? More generally, how did this use of "pretty" come about?

Best Answer

As FumbleFingers says, this is a pretty old use, going back to Early Modern English:

Pretty (pri•ti) adv. Forms: see prec. [The adj. in adverbial use.]
 1. To a considerable extent, considerably; in a fair or moderate degree, fairly, moderately, tolerably; [...]
1598 FLORIO Dict. Ep. Ded. 3 Boccace is prettie hard, yet understood: Petrarche harder but explained. —OED 1

(I offer this OED 1 citation rather than the earlier one reproduced by FumbleFingers because I am not convinced that the use in the earlier citation is adverbial.)

Pretty has a complicated history, as you may see from the OED 1 entry which immediately precedes the link above: from cunning, artful to clever, skilful to ‘a general epithet of admiration or appreciation... fine, pleasing, proper’, and so forth, leading to the main modern sense ‘having beauty without majesty or stateliness’; but the origin of this adverbial use clearly lies in OED 1 sense 5 for the adjective:

 5. Considerable in number, quantity, or extent, as in a pretty deal, while, way, etc.; also a pretty many = a good many; ...

OED 1 gives citations for this use dating from c. 1485 down to 1861, but marks it as ‘Now arch. or dial.’

I am surprised you did not find this in any dictionary; I found it in the first three online dictionaries I checked, Collins, Oxford, and Merriam-Webster. All three post definitions for the adverb after those for the adjective.

Related Topic