If you called someone "nice" way back in the day, you might have gotten punched! Find out why!

Time travelers would have a lot to adjust to to be able to live comfortably in the past. The way they dress, their customs, and most importantly, the way they talk would have have to be radically changed, lest they be ousted as an outsider. One of the stranger things to get used to would be remembering not to call anyone "nice" unless you were trying to insult them!

In the late 13th century, "nice" meant foolish, stupid, and senseless, not anything near what it means today (unless you're being sarcastic).

From the Latin word "nescius," it used to mean ignorant or unaware, translating literally to "not-knowing." It continued to evolve through the centuries and eventually transformed into something less rude.

It continued to move away from "stupid" and transformed to meaning "fussy" and "timid." Eventually, by the late 14th century, it began to mean delicate and dainty. It wasn't until 1769 that it actually meant something nice (as we know it today) by meaning agreeable or delightful.

If you ever stow away on board a time machine, be careful what you say. While you may be trying to smooth talk your way out of a dungeon sentence, you may actually be insulting your medieval captors straight to their face!

(Source)