so-called
|so/called|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈsoʊ ˌkɔld/
🇬🇧
/ˈsəʊ ˌkɔːld/
doubtful naming
Etymology
Etymology Information
'so-called' originates from the English words 'so' and 'called', where 'so' meant 'in this manner' and 'called' meant 'named'.
Historical Evolution
'so-called' has been used in English since the 16th century to express skepticism or doubt about the accuracy of a name or term.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'named in this manner', but over time it evolved to imply doubt or skepticism about the name's accuracy.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:40