Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Topic Options
#208295 - 12/11/12 11:17 AM nincompoop
barryrb Offline
stranger

Registered: 12/11/12
Posts: 1
Re: etymology, I was once told or read, perhaps in law school, that this was a corruption of the Latin phrase for mental defect or unsound mind, "non compos mentis."

Top
#208297 - 12/11/12 01:07 PM Re: nincompoop [Re: barryrb]
LukeJavan8 Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 06/23/08
Posts: 5270
Loc: Land of the Flat Water
Originally Posted By: barryrb
Re: etymology, I was once told or read, perhaps in law school, that this was a corruption of the Latin phrase for mental defect or unsound mind, "non compos mentis."


As was I, I'm glad you brought it up.

And Welcome.


Edited by LukeJavan8 (12/11/12 01:08 PM)
_________________________
----please, draw me a sheep----

Top
#208298 - 12/11/12 02:52 PM Re: nincompoop [Re: barryrb]
tsuwm Online   confused
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 04/03/00
Posts: 10463
Loc: this too shall pass
Originally Posted By: barryrb
Re: etymology, I was once told or read, perhaps in law school, that this was a corruption of the Latin phrase for mental defect or unsound mind, "non compos mentis."


but see Quinion

and here is OED online:
Etymology: Origin uncertain; the second element may perhaps be poop v.2 (compare earlier noddypoop n.). The first element in α forms may show a form derived from a name; compare French nicodème simple or naive person (see Nicodemite n.). With the first element in β forms compare ninny n.1
Various other etymologies have been suggested. Johnson's suggestion of non compos n. does not agree with the earliest forms.


Edited by tsuwm (12/11/12 02:57 PM)
Edit Reason: add oed

Top


Moderator:  Jackie 
Forum Stats
8419 Members
16 Forums
13686 Topics
209709 Posts

Max Online: 3341 @ 12/09/11 02:15 PM
Newest Members
Stephen A, fgjhgjk, Nora Francis, sabosophie, Lore Lorena
8419 Registered Users
Who's Online
0 registered (), 46 Guests and 2 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters (30 Days)
LukeJavan8 83
jenny jenny 67
wofahulicodoc 46
endymion6 44
BranShea 36
Rhubarb Commando 27
Buffalo Shrdlu 19
Faldage 17
Jackie 16
zmjezhd 15
May
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31

Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 2013 Wordsmith