From Latin grex/gregoris (flock) and ex- (out of). egregious comes from a root which means "stands out from the flock" -- it's exceptional. Centuries ago, it ha

From Latin grex/gregoris (flock) and ex- (out of). egregious comes from a root which means "stands out from the flock" -- it's exceptional. Centuries ago, it had a positive meaning but not it is reserved for describing outstandingly bad events or people, etc.