What is pejoration?

Pejoration is the process by which a Word or phrase takes on a more negative or derogatory meaning over time. This linguistic shift can occur due to changes in social attitudes, cultural contexts, or the connotations associated with the term. For example, the Word "silly" originally meant "happy" or "fortunate" but has evolved to imply foolishness or a lack of seriousness. Such changes reflect the dynamic nature of language and how societal perceptions influence Word meanings.