Definition of childishly

The word "childishly" has its roots in Old English and has undergone changes in spelling and meaning over time. The word "child" comes from the Old English word "cild," meaning "young one" or "youth." The suffix "-ishly" is a diminutive suffix, which is often used to form adjectives meaning "in a childlike manner" or "in a naive or immature way." In Middle English (circa 1100-1500), the word "childishly" emerged with the sense "in a childlike or childish manner." It was often used to describe behavior or actions that were considered immature or simplistic. Over time, the meaning of the word has expanded to include connotations of naivety, simplicity, and lacking maturity. Today, "childishly" is used to describe someone's behavior, speech, or actions that are perceived as immature or lacking in sophistication.