The phrase "garden variety" is commonly used to describe something ordinary or typical. The pronunciation of the word "garden" is /ˈɡɑːrdən/ with two syllables: GAR-DEN. The letter "R" is silent in this word. The spelling of "variety" is straightforward with three syllables: VA-RIE-TY, pronounced as /vəˈraɪəti/. The accent is on the second syllable of "variety." Despite its simple spelling, "garden variety" has a rich cultural and linguistic history and remains an idiom widely used today.
According to dictionary definitions, the term "garden variety" is typically used as an adjective to describe something that is ordinary, common, or lacking in special qualities or features. It often implies that the thing being referred to is unremarkable or standard in nature.
In a literal sense, "garden variety" can refer to a plant or crop commonly found in gardens, meaning something that is not exotic or rare. However, the term is more commonly used in a figurative sense, especially in colloquial language.
For example, it can be used to describe everyday objects, such as a "garden variety sandwich" meaning a basic or plain sandwich that lacks any unique or distinctive ingredients. Similarly, it can describe a person, suggesting that they are unexceptional or average, as in a "garden variety student."
Furthermore, "garden variety" can be used to discuss things beyond the realm of physical objects. It can describe events or situations that are unremarkable or typical, as in "a garden variety traffic jam" or "a garden variety argument." It implies that the mentioned event or situation is not out of the ordinary and can be found commonly in everyday life.
In summary, "garden variety" is an adjective that describes something ordinary, common, or lacking in special qualities or features, usually used to imply that it is unremarkable or standard.
The phrase "garden variety" is primarily used to describe something that is common, ordinary, or unremarkable. Its etymology can be traced back to the early 20th century and originates from the agricultural and horticultural practices of cultivating gardens.
The term "garden" derives from the Old Northern French word "gardin", which in turn comes from the Late Latin word "hortus gardinus", meaning an enclosed ground for growing plants. "Garden" has been used in English since the 13th century to refer to a piece of land cultivated for growing flowers, fruits, or vegetables.
The word "variety" comes from the Latin word "varietas", meaning difference or diversity. It entered English in the late 16th century and is often associated with the concept of having different types or forms within a particular category.