WEBAug 20, 2023 · Originally a compound of 素 (su, abbreviation of 素晴らしい (subarashii, “ wonderful, superb ”)) + 的 (-teki, “-ish, -like ”, adjectivizing suffix). First appears in the late Edo period, in the early 1800s. The use of 敵 (teki, “ enemy ”) instead of 的 (teki, “-ish, -like ”) is an example of phonetic ateji .