Why do they call it "Flattery" when there is nothing flat about what itis allegedly suppose to mean? In fact ?

Question

Wouldn't it be the diametric opposite or another word...see i look at it this way.....Flattery is an odd word.....might Puffery be more suitable but less fair to ones ear? Flat, To Flatter , To be Flat, to Fall Flatter than.....and the list goes on...what is your take on this one??????? is it with the "Y" and if so "WHY" don't "THEY" just say so?????
Cheers
Mistress Lioncourt
Signing off saying flattery will get you NOWHERE...how about you?????

Answer 1

It is flattery in that its intent is to flatten the natural objection to the words that our self-imposed society required modesty demands.

For you, all flattery is redundant as your beauty and intelligence have surpassed perfection.

May my words please you Mistress

Answer 2

Doubt is some what right, Stress. Flatter is a verb, an action. Flattery is what the flatterer uses. I would say it's cross between compliementing and teasing. Try the dictionary and or the thessauras (I use Rogets). Also try Cliffnotes.com
ambrosia

(am BRO zhe)

food of the gods, thought to grant immortality

As she spoke she drew a table loaded with ambrosia beside him and mixed him some red nectar, so Mercury ate and drank till he had had enough, and then said . . .
Fom Homer's The Odyssey (Book V)
Read with confidence and understanding when you rely on CliffsNotes The Odyssey.

Read this literature note FREE online at CliffsNotes.com!

Answer 3

That is an interesting question!

I an using the ENCARTA and Noah Webster's for this one.

First, lets look at the history of flat: It seems to come to English in 14thC from Old Norse "flatr". It is distantly related to "flounder", "flan" and "plate."
In looking at the family of related words as of 1828, this is what we get:
Dutch - plat
German - platt
Danish - flad
Swedish - flat
Armoric - blad or pladt
Italian - piatto
The above signify the concept of extending or laying. Flat is also related to Latin "latus" and English "blade".

As for Flattery: it seems this too came to English around the 14th C, but from Old French "flaterie" (which is where we get the "y," d*** frenchies!), which came from "flater". There is a note here that it probably comes from a prehistoric germanic word from which flat also comes (Which means the words are cousins). And this sense that makes them related is the idea of "making smooth." When you flatten out you make "smooth", when you flatter another, you are being "smooth."

There ya go. ;)

Answer 4

As 'platform' has nothing to do with 'plat' but ' flattery' has something to do with 'flat', the word borrowed from French!!

Etymologically speaking,

'FLAT' in English means:

"flat (n.)
1801, from Scot. flat "floor or story of a house," from O.E. flet "a dwelling, floor, ground," from the same source as flat (adj.) (q.v.).

*Flat " has a second meaning: It means 'palm, flat of the hand"

Flattery is definitely from the root word, 'FLATTER':

flatter
c.1225, from O.Fr. flater "to flatter," originally "stroke with the hand, caress," from Frank.

Source:

Answer 5

LMAO!!! Puffery! Oh, I really like that,yes!

Answer 6

why do the call it a hot water heater?
why do you need to heat hot water??