Why do we call a prissy person a "prude"?

zbeckabee

Prissy -- Excessively or affectedly prim and proper. Prude -- One who is excessively concerned with being or appearing to be proper, modest, or righteous. The two go hand in hand. http://www.ask.com/reference/dictionary/ahdict/58756/prude http://www.ask.com/reference/dictionary/ahdict/22750/prissy Dec 09 07, 11:46 PM

star_gazer

It's more than just "hand in hand", there is a direct etymological between the two words if you look far enough in the past. Dec 10 07, 12:43 AM

MonkeyOnALeash

Prude = Prudent " pru·dent (prōōd'nt) adj. 1. Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense. 2. Careful in regard to one's own interests; provident. 3. Careful about one's conduct; circumspect. " http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/prudent Dec 10 07, 3:12 AM

zbeckabee

I'm sure not seeing the connection: Prude -- 1704, from Fr. prude "excessively prim or demure woman" (also an adj.), first recorded in Molière, from O.Fr. preude "good, virtuous, modest," perhaps an ellipsis of preudefemme "a discreet, modest woman," from O.Fr. prou de femme, fem. equivalent of prud-homme "a brave man" (see proud). First record of prudish is from 1717. Prudery first recorded 1709. Prissy -- 1895, first attested in Joel Chandler Harris, probably an alteration of precise (q.v.), or a merger of prim and sissy. Back-formed noun priss is recorded from 1923. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=prissy&searchmode=none http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=prude&searchmode=none Dec 10 07, 4:58 AM