Old English Roots:
* The word "ugly" itself comes directly from Old English "ūglīc," meaning "fearsome" or "terrifying."
* This further breaks down into "ūg" (fear) and "līc" (like).
Shifting Meaning:
* Over time, the meaning of "ugly" shifted from its original sense of fearsome to something more associated with physical unattractiveness.
* This transition likely happened due to the way people reacted to fearsome things: often with disgust and aversion, which then became associated with physical repulsiveness.
Other Influences:
* It's important to note that the concept of beauty and ugliness is subjective and culturally influenced. What is considered "ugly" in one culture might be considered beautiful in another.
So, the origin of "ugly" lies in the Old English word for "fearsome," but its meaning evolved over time to encompass what we now understand as physical unattractiveness.