obscene

Hello! I'me an italian student. I'm searching for correct ethimological mean of the word "obscene" and its various impication.

I think that beetwen italian mean of "osceno" and english mean of "oscene" there is a great difference.

Thanks at all
daniela

[Origin: 1585–95; < L obscénus, obscaenus ] dictionary.com

offensive to morality or decency; indecent; depraved: obscene language. causing uncontrolled sexual desire. abominable; disgusting; repulsive

thank you very much. I've also seen this web site and I want to be sure in the source consulted.

The Collins dictionary
obscene adj 1 offensive or outrageous to accepted standards of decency or modesty. 2 law (of publications) having a tendency to deprave of corrupt. 3 disgusting; repellent: an obscene massacre. [C16 from latin obscenus inauspicious, perhaps related to caenum filth]

.,,

Daniela,

In AE English, there's a slight differentiation you can make. I'm addressing your words, "various implications." I like, in fact, how you worded that. Were you asking about subtle differences that might be inferred?

As mentioned above, "obscene" in AE means immoral and objectionable in a very blatant sexual way.

But we can also use it to mean "rude and disgusting" behavior, even if sexual contact isn't involved. Even if sex is not really the issue. You could think someone is horrible and repulsive and label him "obscene," even if there were no sexual connotation at all.

It's a very slight and refined difference, to be sure, but it's worth mentioning to you, I think.

AngelEyes

alein said:

Hello! I'me an Italian student. I'm searching for the correct ethymological meaning of the word "obscene" and its various implications.

I think that beetwen the Italian meaning of "osceno" and the English meaning of "obscene" there is a great difference.

Thanks at to all
daniela

Hi Daniela,

Here is something from a useful site, Online Etymology Dictionary:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php

1593, "offensive to the senses, or to taste and refinement," from M.Fr. obscène, from L. obscenus "offensive," especially to modesty, originally "boding ill, inauspicious," perhaps from ob "onto" + cænum "filth." Meaning "offensive to modesty or decency" is attested from 1598.

1593, "offensive to the senses, or to taste and refinement," from M.Fr. obscène, from L. obscenus "offensive," especially to modesty, originally "boding ill, inauspicious," perhaps from ob "onto" + cænum "filth." Meaning "offensive to modesty or decency" is attested from 1598.
OED

Often, the Online Etymology Dictionary has the same text as the other OED, the Oxford English Dictionary.
No surprise, it is credited as one of the primary sources. Funny they are both OED

Popping on my mod hat for a moment: those quoting etymologies (or anything else) should note WRF Rule #16 - Always acknowledge the source.