brash

the word 'brash' first appeared in english in the late 18th century, initially describing a sudden attack or assault. its origins are somewhat obscure but it is thought to be onomatopoeic, perhaps imitating the sound of something breaking or a forceful, sudden action. this connection to noise and impact evolved semantically to describe behavior that is harsh, impetuous, and unpleasantly loud or bold. the modern sense, characterizing someone as offensively self-assertive or something as tastelessly flashy, fully developed by the 19th century, carrying forward the core ideas of harshness and lack of restraint from its probable sound-symbolic beginnings.

this word is considered a simplex form. it is likely of imitative or expressive origin, possibly related to the sound or concept of a sudden impact or breaking.