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SMARTWATCH ·
SMARTWATCH post

Replies

chryptof ·

I updated the picture for the Apple brand.

I updated the picture for the Apple brand.
SMARTWATCH ·

LOLZ

J1Pelaez ·

Whete idiot word comes from and what it means for the Greeks?

J1Pelaez ·

The word "idiot" in English and how it's perceived by Greeks can be interesting to explore:

J1Pelaez ·

1. **English Usage**: In English, the term "idiot" comes from the Greek word "idiotes", which originally meant a private person or an individual without professional knowledge or expertise in a particular field. Over time, especially in contemporary usage, "idiot" has taken on a much more derogatory connotation, referring to someone seen as extremely ignorant, lacking common sense, or extremely unsophisticated.

J1Pelaez ·

2. **Greek Origin and Meaning**: In Ancient Greece:

- **"Idiotes"** didn’t carry the derogatory meaning it does today. Instead, it referred to someone who did not take part in public life or politics. These people were considered 'idiots' in terms of not contributing to civic duties or public discourses, focusing instead on their private affairs.
- The term was value-neutral initially, indicating a person who didn't engage in public matters of importance, which in ancient Greek society was seen as less than ideal because public participation was highly valued.

J1Pelaez ·

3. **Modern Greek vs. English**:
- For Greek speakers today, understanding the historical context, "idiot" can still reflect on someone socially detached or uninformed about public affairs, although they are also familiar with its modern negative connotation as used in other languages.
- When English speakers call someone an "idiot," the intention is to insult by implying the person is not intelligent or does foolish things, which is a significant deviation from the original Greek meaning.

J1Pelaez ·

4. **Cultural Perception**: Greeks, like speakers of English, now use the word "idiot" in a similar derogatory sense, but the historical background might give them a nuanced view of the term:

J1Pelaez ·

- They might be aware of its classical roots, where it once described someone simply uninvolved in the political life, as opposed to today's outright derogatory meaning.

J1Pelaez ·

5. **Laughter**: You mentioned "LOLZ", which in this context relates to when the term "idiot" might apply in a humorous or light-hearted manner:

- If used jokingly within Greek culture, the original connotation might add a layer of irony or humor, given the historical context.

J1Pelaez ·

So, while the word "idiot" has undergone a transformation in meaning from Greek to English, Greeks today would understand both the historical context and its modern application. It’s an interesting example of how words evolve, change in meaning, and carry different implications across cultures.