Definition of slippery

The word "slippery" derives from the Old English word "slipran," which means "prone to sliding." The root of this term is "slip," which described the act of slipping or sliding. The suffix "-y" was added to the word in Middle English to create a more delicate meaning, expressing the idea of something being difficult to grasp or hold onto. Initially, "slippery" referred to objects that were wet, slippery, or smooth, like the muddy or oily surfaces that made it challenging to walk or grip things. As time progressed, the meaning of the word expanded to encompass ideas of deception, dissimulation, and evasiveness, which have become essential parts of modern usage. Today, "slippery" has come to signify individuals who are slippery, difficult to pin down or foil, elusive, or duplicitous. In conclusion, the term "slippery" has evolved over time, starting as a simple way to describe surfaces that made it challenging to walk, then evolving into the term that we know today, with a more complex meaning that touches on the ideas of evasiveness and deception.