You don't often hear this word used. Most often, the phrase "prim man" is said when discussing the English. After all, they have aristocratic restraint, are emphatically mannered and polite, follow all the rules of decency, norms of behavior and upbringing.
Origin of the word
Although there is a stereotype that a prim person is an Englishman, however, this adjective has nothing to do with either the British or representatives of other nations. Dictionaries give the following interpretation of the word "prim": a person who demonstrates a strict, restrained demeanor, emphatically observing all accepted conventions and rules of decency.
The origin of the word is not exactly known, however, presumably, it is associated with the Ukrainian language, in which there is a verb "chepuritsya" - preen. From this verb one of the most common surnames is formed - Chepurnoy (neat, dapper, neat). In turn, these words originated from the common Slavic words "brush", "chapuritsya". In Dahl's dictionary there is such an interpretation of these words - "to put on airs, swagger like a chapura." Now this word means little to the layman. Chapura is dialectism,denoting a heron.
Modern use
What does a stiff person mean nowadays? Of course, he is remotely similar to the image of a strict and restrained aristocrat that pops up in my head. Now, to be prim, you do not need to be related to the nobility. Many people build walls around themselves out of mannerisms, pomposity in order to protect themselves from unwanted meetings, communication, arrogance of others, to avoid unnecessary, inappropriate feelings and emotions. A prudish person also limits himself in the choice of manifestations and actions, putting himself at the disposal of conventions, stereotypes, attitudes. However, it should be given credit for the fact that the equanimity and self-control inherent in such people are extremely rare in our time.
