From Latin 'blandus' (smooth, flattering) — originally positive (gentle, agreeable), it deteriorated to 'dull' by the 18th century.
Lacking strong flavor, character, or interest; mild and unexciting; gentle and soothing.
From Latin 'blandus' (smooth, flattering, caressing, alluring, agreeable, gentle), of uncertain further origin, though some scholars connect it to a PIE root *ml̥h₂d- or *meldh- (soft, gentle, tender). The original English sense, borrowed in the 15th century, was entirely positive — 'gentle, smooth, agreeable, pleasantly mild' — reflecting the Latin meaning of something soothing and attractive. The dramatic semantic shift to 'dull, uninteresting, lacking flavor or character' developed gradually during the 18th century, as Enlightenment taste increasingly valued intensity, piquancy, and strong character over mere smoothness. What was once praised as gentle
In Spanish and Italian, 'blando' means 'soft' or 'tender' — a positive quality. In English, 'bland' has deteriorated from meaning 'pleasantly smooth' to 'boringly mild.' This is a classic case of pejoration — a word that loses its positive connotation over time. 'Blandish' (to flatter or coax) preserves the original Latin sense of persuasive smoothness.