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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Maeve on November 10, 2007 | Filed Under Misused Words

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13 Responses to “Are You Sure You Mean “Moot”?”

sabiha on November 10th, 2007 11:30 am

The most important thing for me to upgrade by knowledge with the passage of time.
Alan on November 10th, 2007 12:44 pm

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(!)
Maeve on November 10th, 2007 12:56 pm

Alan,
As my daddy used to say, “Well I’ll be durned!”
Peter Garner on November 10th, 2007 12:57 pm

Have you ever covered the true meaning of “to beg the question” on this blog? It might just ruin another saying for you.

Sorry.
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
Maeve on November 10th, 2007 1:29 pm

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.
Zach Everson on November 10th, 2007 2:44 pm

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.
Simon Townley on November 11th, 2007 10:36 am

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.
R. Smith on November 12th, 2007 2:41 pm

“The Question is Moot!” -Jesse Jackson on Saturday Night Live
Krissy on November 13th, 2007 8:06 pm

Hey, I just barely learned that it wasn’t “mute” a few years ago! Good to know how to really use it.
Andy on November 29th, 2007 2:34 am

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.
Silvia on December 5th, 2007 5:54 pm

There seem to be many words that take on the opposite of their original meaning over time. I love hearing about this stuff!