We explain what is obvious, the origin of the term and how its meaning changed. Also, what are its synonyms.
What is obvious?
When we say that something is obvious, we mean that it is something evident, clear, easily understandable, that does not merit further explanation and that, therefore, is known to all or is a superficial matter.
The obvious or obvious things are those that are in front of the eyes, that do not require an effort to be understood. This applies to any type of referent, such as an "obvious answer", that is, the one that anyone would give; a "very obvious strategy," that is, one that anyone could figure out and decipher.
It is even used as an affirmative answer to questions, when you want to emphasize the agreement or think about the matter in a very enthusiastic way:
- Are you coming to the farewell party?
- Obvious! I wouldn't miss it for the world!
This word comes from Latin obvius, composed of the prefix ob, "In front of" or "in front of", and the word viam which translates "way". Thus, the obvious for the Romans was that which met or crossed the road. The phrase I will obviously it meant putting a stop to something or someone, in the sense of crossing their path.
Although it did not have the same meaning in Latin, it is understandable that it ended up meaning “something at hand”, “in front of the eyes” since it is “in the middle of the road”. In any case, its first documented use in Spanish with the meaning we give it today is from 1739. It is, therefore, a relatively recent meaning for the term.
Are synonyms of obvious: understandable, evident, noticeable, transparent and to some extent easy, simple, given. On the contrary, their antonyms they would be: incomprehensible, hidden, secret, mysterious.