Nervy
/ˈnɝː.vi/noun
Bold, daring, or impudent; also showing or relating to nerves.
Did you know?Its deeper history runs back to Latin *nervus*, meaning a sinew or tendon, which later gave English the idea of “nerve” as inner strength before “nervy” became slang for audacious behavior.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sneu̯-
“to bind, tie, or twist”
Latin
Latin
nervus
“a sinew, tendon, or cord; later, strength or vigor”
Old French
Old French
nerf
“a sinew, tendon; later, nerve”
Middle English
English
nerve
“a sinew or tendon; later, a bodily nerve and figuratively courage or strength”
19th Century
English
nervy
“full of nerve; bold, assertive, or cheeky”