Minx Has Been Softening for Four Centuries
A minx is a cheeky or flirtatious girl. The word began as a much sharper insult.
A minx is a girl or young woman regarded as cheeky, playful or flirtatious. The tone has softened steadily: in the 1500s the word meant a pet dog, then quickly became an insult for a wanton or impudent woman, and today it is usually teasing rather than hostile. It survives almost entirely in playful use, which is unusual for a word that once carried real contempt. The origin is uncertain, possibly a shortening of *minikin*, a small dainty creature, from Dutch *minneken*, a little love.
- A cheeky girl. *A proper minx.*
- A flirt. *A flirtatious minx.*
- A pet dog (obsolete). *A minx.*
- Minikin — a possible source. *A minikin.*
- Dutch — *minneken*, a darling. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | minx | A minx. |
| Plural | minxes | Minxes. |
| Adjective | minxish | Minxish. |
| Related | minikin | A minikin. |
| Dutch | minne | Love. |
- She is a cheerful minx.Playful.
- It once meant a pet dog.History.
- The tone has softened.Usage.
Words that grew gentler
- Minx — from serious insult to teasing
- Nice — from foolish to pleasant
- Shrewd — from wicked to astute
- Rascal — from a low criminal to a cheeky child
- This softening is called amelioration
Origin uncertain, perhaps a shortening of *minikin*, from Middle Dutch *minneken*, a darling.
Is minx an insult?
It once was a strong one. Today it is usually teasing and affectionate, though tone still decides.
What is amelioration?
The process by which a word's meaning grows more favourable over time, as with nice, shrewd and minx.