Are You Sure You Mean “Moot”?
I just caught myself writing “the question is moot” meaning “the question is irrelevant or closed.” I immediately scrapped “moot” for a different adjective.
Why? Because I remembered an occasion on which my son, a journalist, ruined the word for me by explaining that I was using it incorrectly.
To me a “moot question” was a “closed question.” Discussion over, period. Apparently the opposite is true. A “moot question” is one that is arguable.
Here’s the first definition of moot as given in the OED:
1. Originally in Law, of a case, issue, etc.: proposed for discussion at a moot (MOOT n.1 4). Later also gen.: open to argument, debatable; uncertain, doubtful; unable to be firmly resolved. Freq. in moot case, [moot] point.
Now that I know this definition, I cannot bring myself to use the word moot in the sense with which it is commonly used in American English.
The OED acknowledges American usage in its second definition:
2. N. Amer. (orig. Law). Of a case, issue, etc.: having no practical significance or relevance; abstract, academic. Now the usual sense in North America.
I’m sorry to lose it, but since I’m writing for an international audience, the adjective moot is a word I now avoid.



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The most important thing for me to upgrade by knowledge with the passage of time.
I - a Brit - would understand, and even use, the American meaning of this word. In fact, I didn’t even know of its original British meaning(!)
Alan,
As my daddy used to say, “Well I’ll be durned!”
Have you ever covered the true meaning of “to beg the question” on this blog? It might just ruin another saying for you.
Sorry.
At this moment, the correct usage of the word moot is a moot point.
But I would say this, I would not avoid using this word altogether. But I am glad that you have pointed out the original meaning. Thanks,
John
Peter,
Thanks for raising (not begging) the question. Until your comment, I’d never given the expression any thought.
I think I’ll just refer DWT readers to the Wikipedia article. It left me shaking my head.
I’m happy to say that, unlke “moot,” this expression has never been part of my vocabulary so I don’t have to worry about misusing it.
When I was working for my college paper, the president of student government said “mute” when she meant “moot.” We ran the quote as is.
I would understand a “moot point” to be a relevant point. A “moot question” is one that’s important and needs to be discussed. I’m a Brit, by the way.
“The Question is Moot!” -Jesse Jackson on Saturday Night Live
Hey, I just barely learned that it wasn’t “mute” a few years ago! Good to know how to really use it.
John on November 10th, 2007 1:21 pm At this moment, the correct usage of the word moot is a moot point. But I would say this, I would not avoid using this word altogether. But I am glad that you have pointed out the original meaning. Thanks,
John. Thanks, now instead of At this moment I can use now, currently or presently. What logorrhea. Sounds a bit pompous.
There seem to be many words that take on the opposite of their original meaning over time. I love hearing about this stuff!