I am puzzled by the fact that while most earlier usage of лихой have distinctly negative connotations (лиходей, лихой человек is most certainly a villain, лихие времена - bad times, лихоимство - deeds related to extortion, blackmail or racket, лихорадка - fever), more recent meanings seem to be much more at the positive side, like лихость - bravery, dare, лихой скакун - something like dashing charger, or bold steed, "Лихо!" - "Cool!"
Does anybody know how this drastic shift of meaning occurred? Or I am wrong and these polar meanings existed from the beginning? If yes, how to explain this?