Here's a breakdown of its etymology:
* Latin: *facetus* (pleasing, witty, charming)
* Medieval Latin: *facetiosus* (pleasing, witty, charming)
* Middle English: *facetious* (pleasing, witty, charming)
Evolution of Meaning:
While the original meaning of "facetious" was simply "pleasing" or "witty," its meaning shifted over time. By the 17th century, it began to take on a more nuanced sense of being humorous, often in a light or frivolous way, with a hint of being somewhat inappropriate or insincere.
Today:
We typically use "facetious" to describe remarks that are intended to be humorous but are also meant to be taken lightly or even sarcastically. It often implies a playful or teasing tone, sometimes bordering on being disrespectful or mocking.
Example:
"His facetious remark about the meeting being 'productive' was met with groans from the exhausted team."
In this sentence, "facetious" highlights the humorous, but slightly inappropriate nature of the remark, suggesting that the speaker is being sarcastic about the meeting's actual productivity.