tasty English · revision 16172

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=a. 1617}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈteɪsti/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|en|taste|-y]].^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Pleasing to the taste, savoury: before 1617 in the OED;^(OED 2026) Merriam-Webster dates it to 1603 and Etymonline to the 1610s.^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From ''taste'' in the sense of discernment it also meant tasteful or elegant from 1762, in Goldsmith,^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) now rare;^(OED 2026) slang used it of a well-dressed person from 1788.^(GDoS) Figuratively it meant pleasant or attractive from 1796,^(OED 2026) and Merriam-Webster notes the sense of something interesting, especially by being risqué, as in ''tasty gossip''.^(MWU 2024) In British slang ''a bit tasty'' has meant good at fighting since 1974.^(OED 2026) ''Tastesome'' with the same sense is from the 1590s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * a. 1617 – pleasing to the taste.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1762 – tasteful, elegant (now rare).^(OED 2026)

+ * 1796 – pleasant, attractive.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1974 – good at fighting (British slang).^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Having a pleasant [[flavour]]; [[savoury]].^(AHD 2024)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' Interesting, especially by being slightly [[risqué]]: ''tasty gossip''.^(MWU 2024)

+ # ''(British informal)'' Skilful or impressive; in slang, good at fighting.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # ''(British informal)'' Attractive, used chiefly by men of women.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[tastily]]

+ * [[tastiness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[taste]]

+ * [[tasteful]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}