![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-cute.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Cute (Dates to 1731)
Today’s Meaning: Pretty in a youthful way.
Original Meaning: Clever, shrewd. Nineteenth-century politician Thomas Chandler Haliburton used the word to describe a shady lawyer.
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-bully.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Bully (Dates to 1538)
Today’s Meaning: Someone cruel to those weaker.
Original Meaning: Sweetheart. According to Merriam-Webster, it most likely came from the old Dutch word boel, meaning “lover.” Here are some words that underwent the reverse transition: they used to be insults but are now compliments!
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-prestigious.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Prestigious (Dates to 1546)
Today’s Meaning: Honored.
Original Meaning: Involving trickery, illusion, or conjuring. Interesting…”prestigious” used to mean something a little closer to “presto”!
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-matrix.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Matrix (Dates to 1555)
Today’s Meaning: Pattern of lines and spaces.
Original Meaning: Female breeding animal. This usage dates as far back as ancient Rome! Try bringing back these 10 ancient, almost-extinct words.
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-garble.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Garble (Dates to the 1400s)
Today’s Meaning: Cause something to be confusing.
Original Meaning: Sift, separate out impurities. Almost the opposite meaning! These words mean the exact opposite of what you think they do.
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-nervous.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Nervous (Dates to the 1300s)
Today’s Meaning: Jumpy.
Original Meaning: Sinewy or strong.
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-assassin.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Assassin (Dates to the 1200s)
Today’s Meaning: Killer of a VIP.
Original Meaning: Hashish eater. “Hashish” is a hemp plant, and the word “assassin” comes from an Arabic word meaning “drug addict.”
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-silly.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Silly (Dates to the 1300s)
Today’s Meaning: Foolish or frivolous. Here are some silly-sounding words you won’t believe are real.
Original Meaning: Innocent or pitiable.
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-nice.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Nice (Dates to the 1300s)
Today’s Meaning: Kind, good.
Original Meaning: Foolish, wanton. If you didn’t know that “wanton” means reckless and hard to control, you might need to brush up on your eighth grade vocab words.
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-backlog.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Backlog (Dates to 1684)
Today’s Meaning: Large number of jobs to be done.
Original Meaning: Largest log in the hearth. Yes, “backlog” used to denote a literal log!
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-dapper.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Dapper (Dates to the 1400s)
Today’s Meaning: Stylish.
Original Meaning: Brave. Either way, it’s an attractive quality! Did you know about these 10 uncommon English words we never use?
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-girl.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Girl (Dates to the 1300s)
Today’s Meaning: Young female.
Original Meaning: Young person, either gender.
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-fantastic.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Fantastic (Dates to the 1300s)
Today’s Meaning: Exceptionally good.
Original Meaning: Existing only in the imagination, like a fantasy. Here are 70 words and phrases you didn’t know you were using wrong this whole time.
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-buxom.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Buxom (Dates to the 1100s)
Today’s Meaning: Large-breasted.
Original Meaning: Compliant or obedient. John Milton used it this way in Paradise Lost; he describes Death flying easily through “the buxom air.” Did you know that Paradise Lost can reveal the truth about a lost letter of our alphabet?
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/common-words-different-meanings-fizzle.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Fizzle (Dates to 1598)
Today’s Meaning: Fail weakly, die out.
Original Meaning: Fart quietly. Think you’re a word genius? Well see if you know how to say these words even the smartest people mispronounce.
![](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/RD-UJ.jpg?fit=640%2C427)
Get more fun and fascinating facts
Check out the latest Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader® titles at bathroomreader.com. Next, learn 7 new words that will instantly make you sound smarter.