uncouth
UK: ʌnˈkuːθ | US: ʌnˈkuːθ
adj. lacking good manners, refinement, or grace; awkward or rude
adj. (archaic) unfamiliar or strange
uncouth = un<not> + couth<known, refined>
- un: A prefix meaning "not," from Old English un-, widely used in Germanic languages to negate words.
- couth: Derived from Old English cūþ ("known, familiar"), related to cunnan ("to know"). Over time, couth became obsolete as a standalone word but survives in uncouth, originally meaning "unknown" or "unfamiliar," later shifting to imply rudeness due to lack of refinement.
Etymology Origin:
The word uncouth traces back to Old English uncūþ, combining un- (not) + cūþ (known). Initially, it described something unfamiliar (e.g., "uncouth lands"). By the 14th century, it evolved to describe people as "unrefined" or "awkward," reflecting societal values linking familiarity with politeness. The positive form couth faded, leaving uncouth as a linguistic fossil with a now-negative connotation.
His uncouth behavior at the dinner party embarrassed everyone.
The villagers regarded the explorer’s customs as uncouth.
She winced at his uncouth jokes during the meeting.
The once-uncouth dialect is now celebrated as a regional treasure.
Modern etiquette books often address how to avoid uncouth habits.