My fascination and struggle with the word “moot” has led me to wild and strange places. Well, I guess that’s an exaggeration. Let’s just say that the journey was interesting enough to be committed to a page of the Internet (Possibly a moot point in and of it’s self).
Most people, including myself, use the word “moot” as an adjective to describe something as being unimportant or more commonly irrelevant. But this is actually only the second definition (according to the highly reliable Microsoft Word Dictionary) and is designated “informal.” The first definition is “open to argument.” Which seems pretty close… But not quite the meaning I’ve always known “moot” to have.
But that is only the surface! There’s a whole plethora of alternate definitions for “moot” including both noun and verb versions. They all seem to be centered around some kind of legal gathering. The first verbal definition is: “To offer an idea for consideration or a topic for discussion” (Which the dictionary notes is “Usually Passive.” Whatever that means). The second: “To take part in a debate, especially one organized as an academic exercise, for example, among law students” (The dictionary here described this definition as “Formal.” How are they deciding these things?)
I challenge anyone to find a way to fit a verbal version of “moot” into a conversation without getting some look. I can just see it now: “If it’s okay, Bill, I’d like to moot the topic of global warming for discussion” or “Hey, fellas, let’s moot it up!”
The occurrence of “moot” as a noun is equally as interesting. The first being: “An academic discussion in which people such as law students argue hypothetically or plead a hypothetical case” (Like a legal dry run, sure). The last and my personal favorite: “In Anglo-Saxon England, a formal gathering for settling legal and administrative matters.”
I’m not quite sure how the meaning of this beloved word ever turn away from it’s legal origins but I’m just too lazy to delve into the matter any further.
Love and Madness,
D. Bradford
p.s.- There’s also a term “Moot Court” which is “A court in which imaginary legal cases are conducted and tried by law students as part of their training.” Sounds like a grand ole time to me!