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Where does the word "cynic" come from? It comes from Greek kynikos, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
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Where does the word "cynic" come from? It comes from Greek kynikos, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
Cynic’s story begins in Greek: kynikos meant “dog-like.” Literally dog-like, describing a school of philosophers who scorned comfort. It reached English by 1500s as cynic. Narrowed to describe someone distrustful of others' motives. Today, cynic means a person who distrusts the sincerity or motives of others.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient kynikos "dog-like", literally dog-like, describing a school of philosophers who scorned comfort.
- Stage 2 · English · 1500s cynic "one distrustful of others' sincerity", narrowed to describe someone distrustful of others' motives.