Where Does Prudish Come from?

Prude was borrowed from French, short for prude femme "wise and good woman." Though the word took on a negative meaning, Old French prud also meant "capable or brave" and is probably the source of English proud.

What makes someone a prude?

A prude (Old French prude meaning honourable woman) is a person who is described as (or would describe themselves as) being concerned with decorum or propriety, significantly in excess of normal prevailing standards. They may be perceived as being more uncomfortable than most with sexuality or nudity.

Where did the term prude originate?

"Prude" derives from the French "prudefemme" (good woman), the feminine version of "prud'homme" (good man and true). But "prudent" evolved from the Latin "prudens," a contraction of "providens," from "pro (forward) and videre (to see)," literally, to see ahead.