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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Dec 2012
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."
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,974 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,974 Likes: 3 |
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.
Last edited by LukeJavan8; 12/11/2012 6:08 PM.
----please, draw me a sheep----
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
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.
Last edited by tsuwm; 12/11/2012 7:57 PM. Reason: add oed
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