The root comes from the Greek idios meaning of one's self or private. Presumably, the term was used disparagingly about someone who was so concerned with their own affairs that they failed to pay attention to, or participate in, the larger and more important affairs of the community.

The root also gives us the word "idiom" and "idiosyncratic". It frequently refers to someone who is in their "own world" so to speak, or who does things in a way peculiar unto themselves. The term "idiot" was used to refer to someone who was significantly mentally impaired, and therefore in "their own" world.

I've never heard the terms used for apprentices, but until very recently in history, they were used to describe people with IQ deficiencies:

IQ Range Classification
70-80 Borderline deficiency
50-69 Moron
20-49 Imbecile
below 20 Idiot

Thus the term "drooling idiot". I'm not sure how someone could be a "complete" idiot. As opposed to what, a partial one?

By the way, my mother used to call me stuff like that, too. It's emotional/mental abuse.

Whoops, didn't see that someone already posted this basic info on the IQ stuff. I'll leave it just for interest's sake.

bonni Message edited on: 03/25/2006 01:18

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