1590s, from French facétieux (16c.), from facétie "a joke" (15c.), from Latin facetiae "jests, witticisms" (singular facetia), from facetus "witty, elegant, fine, courteous," which is of unknown origin, perhaps related to facis "torch."
Formerly often in a good sense, "witty, amusing," but later implying a desire to be amusing that is often intrusive or ill-timed. Related: Facetiously; facetiousness. "Facetiæ in booksellers' catalogues, is, like curious, a euphemism for erotica." [Fowler]
facetious 双语例句
1. The woman eyed him coldly. "Don't be facetious," she said.
妇人冷冷地看着他，说道：“别没正经了。”
来自柯林斯例句
2. Facetious remarks are part of his stock - in - trade.
讲俏皮话是他的拿手好戏.
来自辞典例句
3. Keep it, in any case, familiar, facetious even, rather then pedantic and portentous.
无论如何, 要使它显得很随便, 甚至滑稽可笑, 而不要显得很迂腐,夜郎自大.
来自辞典例句
4. It has been a triple error, he has been contradictory, rebellious and facetious.
这话有三错: 他自相矛盾! 离经叛道!哗众取宠!
来自辞典例句
5. Punning , facetious , irreverent, the funny man filled the newspapers and lighter periodicals with his material.