Definition of uncalled for

The phrase "uncalled for" is used to describe an action or situation that is unnecessary, unwarranted, or excessive, especially when it causes harm or offense to others. The origin of this term can be traced back to the 16th century, when it was first recorded in the English language in the form "uncalled-for" or "uncall'd for." The phrase "called for" at the time was used to indicate something that was necessary,required, or demanded in a particular situation. Dialogues from the works of William Shakespeare, such as Hamlet and King Lear, illustrate this usage. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act III, Scene II, Polonius advises Ophelia to beware of Hamlet's advances, saying "There is sore blessing in his looks, / I would not have you remember / The tricks of lustful Moors, nor mad propagations, / Though it showed to the world their lechery, / Yet by the spurns and stops poor women saw / Their husbands honoured in such doubtful ends." To this, Ophelia replies, "Good my lord, / I must put you in remembrance of yourself; / Remember, / courtesy governs friendship, / And speaks both in and out: / 'Tis called courtesy, / For there is all the intellect and reason / That finds itself out: / And I forbear every comment of my own," explaining that it is not acceptable to refuse advice for the sake of stubbornness or pride. The negation of this term, "uncalled for," soon rose in popularity, especially in its various verb forms such as "uncall" and "uncalls." The term began to develop meanings of undesirable, unnecessary, or unwarranted, and eventually came to indicate an action or situation that was excessively hostile, cruel, or harsh. The term continues to remain a part of English vocabulary today and is used across various regions of the world. The usage is not limited to the English language, however, and has been adopted into several other languages as well, including French, Swedish, and Dutch.