idiot

Where does the word "idiot" come from? It comes from Greek idiotes, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Idiot’s story begins in Greek: idiotes meant “a private individual, layperson.” Originally a private citizen who held no public office. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as idiote. Narrowed to mean an uneducated or ignorant person. It reached English by 1300s as idiot. Settled as the word for a foolish or unintelligent person. Today, idiot means a foolish or stupid person.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient idiotes "a private individual, layperson", originally a private citizen who held no public office.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval idiote "an ignorant or uneducated person", narrowed to mean an uneducated or ignorant person.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s idiot "a foolish or unintelligent person", settled as the word for a foolish or unintelligent person.