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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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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!
This is a fine (or moot?) example of an English word changing over time. If you research the word “gentleman”, it originally had nothing to do with manners… it was simply a man who owned land and had a family crest. He could have been a complete boor, as well as a gentleman…
“Moot” seems to be one of those few words that can mean exact opposites — such as “sanction” and “citation.” In law, a “moot court” argues a question. As a lawyer, when writing appeals, I use it in the sense that “the court should not refuse to consider this issue; the question is not moot [closed] even though the plaintiff’s sentence has run out, as he wishes to clear his name. . . ” etc.
I could be wrong but I think it’s just a case of a shifting understanding where people hearing that something is a moot point begin to understand is as something that can’t be determined or argued and the eventually becoming something that is agreed. What is agreed is that there is no agreement so, it is a moot point and to make that statement allows you to move on to other aspects of defining what can be argued to bring a conclusion. We could say, when you use moot you are basically saying let’s agree to disagree and call it a wash.