2007-02-10 19:17:58 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
As far as I know it comes from Greek..
2007-02-10 20:00:51 · answer #1 · answered by sunflower 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The word idiot comes from a person who thought the person they saw or was talking to was an "Idiot". That's how the whole idiot thing came about. Also, the word "Idiotic" came from a person who thought a person was doing something very "Idiotic".
<3 Christina
2007-02-11 02:53:09 · answer #2 · answered by Christina 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our word "idiot" comes from the Greek word for a private person uninvolved in public affairs. The Greeks thought any free man who failed to interest himself in his own present and future was an idiot. I think so too!
2007-02-10 19:21:06 · answer #3 · answered by T D 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It comes from Greek "idiotes", meaning someone not being involved into politics or any art world, but being "only one" and leading a quite life. From that idiotes we have the word idiotism,
idiomatic, idioma and idiot, someone spitting out nonsenses!-
Etymology: idios=self,same.-
Ciao........John-John.
2007-02-13 03:39:16 · answer #4 · answered by John-John 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Merriam-Webster it is Middle English word and before that was Anglo-French, and before that was Latin, and before that was Greek. So apparently, the word "idiot" was originally a Greek word.
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ydiote, from Latin idiota ignorant person, from Greek idiÅtÄs one in a private station, layman, ignorant person, from idios one's own, private;
2007-02-10 19:22:16 · answer #5 · answered by Idiot_Savante 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the English language terms for the mentally retarded have often changed. At one time depending on the level of functioning they were referred to as idiot, moron, and imbecile. Once these terms take on a negative connotation they are changed to something more socially acceptable.
2007-02-10 19:26:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Now, obviously from your mouth. Historically, it must have been frequently mouthed by the so called wise men, like you, to refer to those whom they consider as inferior to them, in intelligence.
2007-02-11 19:54:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a frustration on someones part years ago to attempt to describe the authors of liberal tax and spend philosophy. its not a totally exact phrase but seems to do in a pinch.
2007-02-10 19:23:04 · answer #8 · answered by koalatcomics 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
village idiot?
2007-02-11 01:40:29 · answer #9 · answered by multipły 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From Latin through French
2007-02-10 19:33:18 · answer #10 · answered by QQ dri lu 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋