Mongolism
/ˈmɒŋɡəlɪzəm/noun
An outdated and offensive term once used for Down syndrome.
Did you know?The term was coined in the 19th century because doctors falsely thought the facial features of some patients resembled those of Mongolian peoples, a racist theory now completely rejected.
Etymological Timeline
13th Century
Middle Latin
Mongoli
“A Latinized form referring to the Mongol people”
18th–19th Century
English
Mongol
“A term for a member of the Mongol peoples of Mongolia”
1866
English
Mongolian idiocy
“A now-discredited medical label based on racist pseudoscience”
Late 19th Century
English
Mongolism
“An outdated medical term for Down syndrome”
20th Century
English
Down syndrome
“The modern clinical term replacing the offensive older label”
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