When we try a dish, we first of all evaluate its taste. If the food makes you feel good, how can you not exclaim: “Very tasty!” Otherwise, no words are needed, those around us will understand from our disgruntled grimace that the dish did not succeed - it was over-salted, under-boiled or burnt. But what is meant when they say that a person has good taste? Perhaps this expression came into Russian from the vocabulary of cannibals? ..
Etymology and Interpretation of the Word
If you look into any dictionary, you can read that taste is a feeling that occurs in the mouth when absorbing any food as a result of irritation of the receptors of the tongue and adjacent mucous membranes. The taste is bitter, salty, sweet, fresh, spicy, etc. Depending on the individual preferences of a person, the same dish, drink, fruit or vegetable can be evaluated differently. Someone will say that a sour apple tastes good, another will call it disgusting.
The origin of the word is not known for certain, but most linguists believe that it is formed from the verbs “bite” or “touch,” that is, in the direct sense, one way or another connected with food. The word “taste” itself as part of speech is a masculine noun, can vary in cases and numbers. But in the plural, the word is used in rare cases, for example, in expressions such as "they don’t argue about tastes" or "everyone has different tastes."
Perception of the beautiful
The semantic meaning of the word “taste” is not limited only to eating habits. When they say that someone has a delicate taste, they mean that a man or a woman is well versed in the purpose of various things and objects, knows how to combine them with each other, have a sense of style, and are creative in performing any work that requires extraordinary solutions in an aesthetic plan.
Thus, good taste is an innate or acquired ability to perceive beauty, harmony in actions, deeds, manner of communication, choice of clothing, interior decoration, etc. For example, dressing with taste means beautiful, elegant, in accordance with fashion and own personality, without going beyond the boundaries of generally accepted norms.
Signs of impeccable style
Obviously, taste is a quality that is given from birth, some people educate it consciously, but it is impossible to buy it for money. How to understand that you have the perfect style? According to popular wisdom, you need to meet "by clothes."
Both women and men who are distinguished by good taste always look impeccably, do not fall into awkward situations, do not seem ridiculous or awkward. Each item of their holiday or business wardrobe sits perfectly on the figure, accessories complement the overall image, are appropriate according to the chosen environment and atmosphere. Taste is a sense of proportion, and accuracy, and sophistication.
If the lady who came to the theatrical performance has an expensive evening dress, and instead of a miniature handbag, she has a bag from the nearest supermarket in her hands, it means that her taste is not all right. The same goes for men. A real gentleman will never put on sneakers under a formal suit and will not tuck into the socks of his trousers.
The presence or absence of taste can tell a lot and the situation in the house. Sometimes, visiting someone, you involuntarily notice that, despite the high cost of interior decoration, the apartment looks like a train station. The furniture is chaotically arranged, cheap trinkets hang on the walls next to old paintings - this is a clear sign of bad taste. And vice versa, the interior, designed in the same style, where each item is in its place, will tell that the owners strive for harmony in everything.
Expression of special favor
The word "taste" can be used as a description of a personal relationship to things, events, people. For example, when a woman tells a man that he is not in her taste, it becomes clear - she does not like him, for some reason she is unpleasant.
Or imagine a person taking pleasure in some kind of work. He joyfully rubs his hands: "This is a lesson to my taste!" People with similar character traits, keen on the same activities, having similar ideas about the world, they say that they have the same tastes or common interests.