Idiocy
/ˈɪd.i.ə.si/noun
Stupidity; a state or act of extreme foolishness.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek *idios*, meaning “one’s own, private, separate,” so the original idea was someone who stayed out of public affairs, not someone unintelligent.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἰδιώτης (idiṓtēs)
“A private person, ordinary citizen, or one not engaged in public affairs”
Late Greek
Greek
ἰδιωτεία (idiōteía)
“Private life; lack of professional skill or public standing”
Latin
Latin
idiota
“An ignorant person; also a layman or uneducated person”
14th Century
English
idiot
“A foolish or ignorant person”
16th Century
English
idiocy
“Foolishness; stupidity; the condition of being an idiot”
Modern English
English
idiocy
“Extreme foolishness or stupidity”