English
antic
Antic may come from Italian antico ‘ancient’.
- Italianc. 1300–presentantico‘ancient’uncertain
- Englishearliest quotation c. 1591–1595antic
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Italianc. 1300–presentantico‘ancient’uncertain
- Englishearliest quotation c. 1591–1595antic
Earliest quotation: c. 1591–1595, William Shakespeare, The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet: “Fetch me my Rapier Boy, what dares the ſlaue…”
The story
Probably from Italian antico (‘ancient’), used to describe ancient wall paintings from classical times, from Latin antiquus (‘venerable’).
Linked words
through Latin antiquus ‘venerable’
Today it means
adj Playful, funny, absurd.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Italian antico / antic