Where does the word please come from?
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ANSWERS: 4
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It comes from the Old French "plaisir" (meaning pleasure), which generate the Middle English word "plesen" (meaning to please or to give pleasure). It's initial use was more connected with which today would be: "If you would please me", which in time was in short "if you please" and changed to our days' plain and simple "please". "If you would please me, pass the salt" (pass me the salt in order to please me or give me pleasure). The interpretation sounds weird, but if you analize it and think of the Old French romantic and extremely polite times, it makes a lot of sense. Hope the answer pleases you :)
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Astaroth's answer was good. I'd like to suggest one more thing: French "s'il vous plait" translates as "if it you please" - that is, "if it please you." I feel pretty sure that our English phrase that was shortened just to "please" said something like, "If it would please you, pass me the salt." This is even more polite and unassuming than "If you would please me."
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I thought the word please came from the latin "placere" which means to satisfy.To make a person feel satisfied or glad, to please them.
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From people with good manners.
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