See quotation, 1827.
1827. When the Yankee says “pretty,” he does not mean handsome but agreeable; and when he says “ugly,” he does not mean ill-looking, but vicious. Thus he will say of a horse, “He is a very handsome horse, but he is as ugly as Satan.”—Mass. Spy, Nov. 28: from the Berkshire American.
1878. A half-breed squaw, about as “pretty” as a wild-cat struck with a club.—J. H. Beadle, ‘Western Wilds,’ p. 387.
