Bland
/blænd/noun
Lacking strong flavor, character, or excitement.
Did you know?English *bland* comes from Old French *bland*, meaning “mild, gentle, flattering,” which likely traces back to a Germanic root meaning “to mix or mingle,” not to any occult or sinister source.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰleh₁-
“to mix, blend”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*blandaną
“to mix, mingle, confuse”
Old English
OE
bland
“mild, gentle, soft”
Old French
OF
bland
“mild, gentle, flattering”
Middle English
English
bland
“mild, soft, or lacking sharpness”
Modern English
English
bland
“lacking strong flavor, character, or excitement”