Ever get the impression that many things we take for granted are not as they seem?
That we live in a bit of a topsy-turvy world?
As I get older, I am beginning to think so!
For example, take the word ‘dunce’.
We all know what ‘dunce’ means right? A dull-witted, stupid dolt. Someone incapable of learning and, back in my day, consigned to the corner of the classroom. Agreed?
Wrong! The word dates all the way back to the 12th century and comes to us via one John Duns Scotus. He was born in 1266 and was an incredibly clever Franciscan philosopher whose specialities included metaphysics, theology, grammar and logic.
So, how did the name of a super scholar like John Duns come to mean a dullard?
Well, we have the Renaissance to thank for this apparent bit of injustice. Back then his ideas fell out of favour with the intellectuals of the time, and those scholars that stuck with them were labelled ‘Dunsmen’ or ‘Dunces’ for short. Over time the word gradually just came to mean someone stupid.
Seems rather sad that such a smart man should forever be linked to such a derogatory term. But on the bright side maybe he got the last laugh.
Apparently, he is still highly regarded by the Catholic church, in fact, he was beatified just 25 years ago!