From a cut down version of Cinderella, in which the eponymous character is described as having dainty feet.<\/p>\n
On the spot answer: “It means small, honey”<\/p>\n
Dictionary says<\/a>:<\/p>\n Nice; delicate; elegant, in form, manner, or breeding; well-formed; neat; tender.<\/p>\n Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Hmm… I clearly missed the connotations, which I knew I did, but it clearly doesn’t mean “small”. Maybe the meaning has shifted in the last 100 years?<\/p>\n Newer dictionary says<\/a>:<\/p>\n marked by delicate or diminutive beauty, form, or grace<\/p><\/blockquote>\n OK, diminutive I guess. But it’s a stretch.<\/p>\n Final grade: fail.<\/p>\n As an aside, it looks like the primary meanings of “dainty” have to do with food and physical taste (as opposed to taste in clothing, etc):<\/p>\n especially pleasing to the taste;<\/p>\n n : something considered choice to eat<\/p>\n Delicious to the palate; toothsome.<\/p>\n That which is delicious or delicate; a delicacy.<\/p>\n 1 a: tasting good : tasty b: attractively prepared and served<\/p><\/blockquote>\n It was already pretty clear the Prince was rocking a decent foot fetish, but this new view of the word dainty pushes it into the realm of “get out of the house!” It does explain “Oh wasn’t that a dainty dish to set before the king?”<\/a> better than I’ve ever understood it before…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" From a cut down version of Cinderella, in which the eponymous character is described as having dainty feet. On the spot answer: “It means small, honey” Dictionary says: Nice; delicate; elegant, in form, manner, or breeding; well-formed; neat; tender. Webster’s … Continue reading