March 16, 2013
- platitude (noun)
- What does it mean?
- 1 : the quality or state of being dull or not stimulating2 : an obvious, stale, or shallow remark
- How do you use it?
- Our English teacher is trying to get us to write persuasive essays that are honest and heartfelt, and not filled with platitudes.
- Are you a word wiz?
Where do you think the word "platitude" comes from?We won't offer platitudes, but we will congratulate anyone who figured out that "platitude" comes from the French word "plat," meaning "flat, dull." The word "platitude" uses "plat" in its figurative sense, that is, not to refer to something that is flat or dull in a way you can see and touch, but flat or dull to the mind, as in uninteresting or boring. Two of the other English words that claim "plat" in their histories – "plate" and "platter" -- use "plat" in its literal flat sense.