DRAE doesn't say anything beyond that it comes from Latin. Wiktionary doesn't give even that. I even tried a bunch of other resources but nothing came out. Yes, I know it comes from Latin but I would love to see if anyone has anything more than that. I want to understand where the Latin platica came from and what it meant.
asked Nov 11, 2014 at 12:22
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1I case it helps, nobody uses "plática" in Spain. This is one of those words who suffers from regional differences.– DiegoCommented Nov 11, 2014 at 14:05
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Unfortunately, that doesn't help much. I know the word belongs more in Mexico than elsewhere. It's the etymology that I'm after.– TheLearnerCommented Nov 11, 2014 at 14:12
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1I can't find a latin definition for platĭca nor platica. I found a reference to a term platicus (perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/…), but can't find a definition of that term. Internet is so incomplete. I wonder where did the RAE find that etimology.– LucasCommented Nov 11, 2014 at 14:13
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@Diego It is used extensively in certain SA countries, especially Mexico. The term suffer is really pejorative in your sentence....– LambieCommented Feb 13, 2022 at 16:20
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Aqui está la mejor explicación y no pude copiarla. Viene del griego en primer lugar etimologias.dechile.net/?platicar– LambieCommented Feb 13, 2022 at 16:29
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2 Answers
It seems that that Latin form of plática was not a noun originally, but the feminine form of and adjective, which meant elemental or basic. It seems that it was used in expressions like sermo platicus, which means basic or rudimentary conversation, and disputatio platica, which means basic argument or discussion. Finally it turned into a noun to define a chat.
Unfortunately I found no sources that confirm me, are just class notes.
The word plática derived from práctica in the Latin sense of "practicus", ("practical", "active"), which is related to the Greek "praxis".
In the usual sense, "práctica" refers to something habitual exercise. But "plática" refers to what is ordinary, usual.
In that sense, platicar originally refers to talk about what would be ordinary, common, current.
