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What it basically means is that the more one knows about someone, the more one notices that person's negative traits and realizes that person may not be as nice as previously thought.
When we get to know something very well, we cease noticing its good qualities and take those for granted, while emphasising the bad traits in it. We build contempt for it as we feel it is not as good as it was or should be.
If you are referring to the Shakespeare quote...the phrase has been taken out of context (or actually has been misquoted). It was spoken from a character about men she may be forced to marry. referring to a particular man, she was saying that if there is no love in the beginning, time may change that and love may develop as you get to know each other (become familiar with each other). but in her particular case with the man she was speaking about, she hoped that if she were to marry him, that familiarity would breed more contempt.
It has to be looked at as a part of the whole story (a comedy) and what it means to the character and the story. She doesn't like him and jokes that she hopes familiarity will breed contempt instead of love. But you have to be involved in the story to know the story's meaning and all of it's jokes and sarcasms.
But I also agree that the term is used to refer to how you may not like people once you get really familiar with them. You may see sides of their characters that you did not see before which you do not like. If the person is an authority figure, you may see how they are just like you and resent that they have authority-- or you may see other sides of them and thus breed contempt instead of respect. If you ask me, familiarity is a good thing and can provide comfort and stability. I think that is why people always ask what this quote means. familiarity breeds contempt OR love and admiration-- it just depends on whom or what you get familiar with and how YOU feel about it.
Another interpretation of contempt is that as you become more familiar with someone, you start taking liberties in how you interact with them... less polite, less gracious, more teasing, more rude because you can impose on the familiarity, the friendship, in those ways... ways in which you would not immediately interact with a stranger, until you become more familiar with them.
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What is a sentence using the word familiarity?
How about the old adage 'Familiarity breeds contempt'.
Is familiarity breeds contempt a negative expression?
GOD
How do you use familiarity in a short sentence?
Familiarity breeds contempt. He had very little familiarity with physics. The familiarity to his friend was striking.
How you complete the question what breeds contempt?
The phrase is "familiarity breeds contempt". It means that we tend to lose appreciation for those individuals who are around us most.
Is the saying familiarity breeds contempt in the bible?
No, the saying "familiarity breeds contempt" is not found in the Bible. However, the concept of becoming overly familiar with someone or something leading to a loss of respect or appreciation can be seen in certain passages that warn against complacency or taking things for granted.
What is a proverb suggesting the value of familiarity?
Though it does not necessarily show that there is value in familiarity. the most well-known proverb is "Familiarity breeds contempt."
What does rarity win if familiarity breeds contempt?
The phrase "rarity wins if familiarity breeds contempt" means that things or people that are rare or unique often hold more value or appreciation compared to those that are common and familiar, which might lead to disdain or neglect. This suggests that sometimes maintaining a sense of mystery or uniqueness can sustain interest and respect.
What does familiarity breeds contempt?
It means that you often become so accustomed to familiar things and people that you no longer value them.
Why a woman should never MOVE IN with a man?
familiarity breeds contempt, and the best way to lose a friend is by living with them
What does 'familiarity breeds contempt' mean?
It means that you often become so accustomed to familiar things and people that you no longer value them.
What is a counterpoint to familiarity breeds contempt?
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
What does familiarity breeds not contempt but affinity mean?
Its an adaptation of the phrase "familiarity breeds contempt" which is to say that spending lots of time doing something, being with someone, etc... means you will grow to dislike the activity, person, etc... In this phrase its is turned on its head, instead of growing to hate something you will grow to love it as you spend more time devoted to something.
