Indian English..... homely

http://www.onelook.com/?w=Homely&ls=a

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Quick definitions (homely)

· adjective: plain and unpretentious (Example: "Homely truths")

· adjective: lacking in physical beauty or proportion (Example: "A homely child")

· adjective: without artificial refinement or elegance (Example: "Plain homely furniture")

· adjective: having a feeling of home; cozy and comfortable (Example: "The homely everyday atmosphere")

Word origin

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=homely

homely

c.1300, "of or belonging to home or household, domestic," from M.E. hom "home." Sense of "plain, unadorned, simple" is c.1380, and extension to "having a plain appearance" took place before 1400, but now survives chiefly in U.S., esp. in New England, where it is the usual term for "physically unattractive;" ugly being typically "ill-tempered."

Hi Friends,

I thought of sharing one info with u all..

Never use the word “Homely”, the way we Indians use it. Some of you might not be aware of its actual meaning which is “Ugly” or “Unattractive”. Last week a guy was giving a presentation to his classmates in the US. The topic was something like “INDIAN CULTURE”. Towards the end he was telling them he likes to marry a homely girl. The class was bursting with laugh….Poor guy J