Miss Sassy Pants

Can anyone please tell me when the term sassy started being used to highlight a person with confidence, boldness and a wont take shit from anyone attitude? I always grew up believing that this word is just a sweeter version of someone who is crude, mean and a little bit crazy, but I am seeing girls and guys who have a touch of these qualities now using it to soften their personality somewhat. I overhead two girls talking in a bathroom and heard something as I was listening to the conversation The bleech blonde pixie cut said "She seems rude and bitchy" whilst the chocolate brunette quickly states "No she's just sassy".

When did we become a society that lets a rude and uncouth person hide safely behind the sassy girl/guy label? Honesty and humbleness still take centre stage when it comes to sizing up a potencial friend and if these sassy people havent yet realised that the way they act is embaressing then I'll let you in on a little secret; you are transperant like oil on a sheet of baking paper.