Geloscopy
/dʒɪˈlɒskəpi/noun
A form of divination that supposedly interprets a person’s laughter.
Did you know?The term combines Greek words for “laughter” and “examining,” placing an involuntary emotional reaction into the same divinatory world as astrology and palmistry.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
γέλως (gelōs)
“Laughter; a laugh”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σκοπέω (skopeō)
“To look at, examine, or investigate”
Ancient Greek
Greek
γελωτοσκοπία (gelōtoskopía)
“Examination or observation of laughter; formed from gelōs plus skopeō”
17th Century
English
geloscopy
“A purported method of divination based on laughter”
Modern English
English
geloscopy
“The rare practice or supposed art of interpreting laughter”
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