THE ORIGIN OF "NICE" AND "NECIO"

Etymology is a fascinating field that deals with the evolution of words over time and their history and origin. Words are, of course, sounds with meaning but the first or original meaning may change with usage. The Latin word nescius, "ignorant", "unaware", turned into the English "nice", via French as "simple", "stupid", "silly". It's development is fascinating: to "timid", "fussy", "delicate" (c.1400); "precise", "careful", "agreeable" (1769); "kind", "thoughtful" (1830) and, finally, "pleasing, agreeable, delightful, kind" (Random House). From ignorant, simple, stupid, and careful, to what we know now as nice. Spanish has retained the original meaning of nescius in "necio": "Bobo, tonto, majadero".  Check Etymonline for further information on the origin of English words.