History Lesson
Where does the word "idiot" come from?
In Greek society, an "idiot" was someone who did not participate in public life and therefore lacked political and social knowledge. The word derived from the Greek "idiotes," meaning a private person or someone who kept to themselves.
In medieval Europe, the term "idiot" was used to describe someone who was mentally disabled or had a low level of intelligence. It was also used to describe someone who lacked social skills or was seen as foolish or ignorant.
During the Enlightenment era in the 18th century, the word "idiot" took on a new meaning. It was used to describe someone who lacked reason or critical thinking skills and was, therefore, unable to contribute to society in a meaningful way. The concept of the "idiot" as a rational being who had failed to develop their mental faculties became an important theme in philosophy, literature, and art.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the word "idiot" began to be used more broadly to describe anyone who was seen as foolish, ignorant, or incompetent. It was often used as an insult or a way to belittle someone's intelligence or ability.
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the harmful nature of using words like "idiot" to insult or denigrate others. Many people now recognize the importance of treating others with respect and avoiding language that reinforces negative stereotypes or stigmatizes individuals based on their perceived intelligence or abilities.
Quiz Writer
Joselyn wasn’t too keen on multiple choice in high school. She vividly remembers the first biology exam she passed by only the skin of her teeth, which dragged her overall average down into the embarrassingly low 90s (she doesn’t want to talk about it). After swearing off any high school or university courses that required multiple choice tests, Joselyn managed to get an English degree by sweet-talking her professors into offering only essay-style exams. Needless to say, this did not exactly endear her to her peers. This rocky start smoothed out in time, though, and after tumbling down a black quiz hole one day while putting off job hunting, Joselyn realized her hatred of all things a-b-or-c had faded and she actually enjoyed dreaming up new ideas for questions and dangerously correct-sounding answers. You won’t find her quizzes an easy ride, but Joselyn just wants to make sure you’re really testing your knowledge.
Did you know?
You can grow out of your idiot genetics
How to Play?
Our personality quizzes are set up a little differently than your basic trivia quiz, but you’ve probably seen their kind around. Rather than having to choose the right answer from a list of multiple choice options, in this case, there is no “right answer”! (Two plus two will always be four, but every Golden Girls character is equally awesome.)
So, stop stressing. Just click on the answer that suits you best, and enjoy the ride. These quizzes are just for fun but who knows – you might just learn something about yourself along the way!
About Heywise
Get knOwledgeable! Heywise is where entertainment and trivia meet, like a turducken of fun. Anytime. Anywhere. Since 2017, Heywise has been a leader of quizzes on the web, on mobile devices, and across social media.
We explore a broad range of topics – from sports to history, language to pop culture, personality to health. Our quizzes motivate readers to test their knowledge and learn new and exciting facts.
We’re inspired by food and unique destinations around the globe. We love movies and TV shows, but most of all we love having the opportunity to share these passions with you.
Have you ever wondered what color represents your personality? Do you know which Hogwarts House you belong to? Are you a Pessimist or an Optimist? Our unique personality quizzes will help you find out! We want to share the knowledge of all things awesome with you.
We’re the best quiz site on the internet. That might be our opinion, but it’s pure fact that we get up in the morning expressly to share awesome, eye-opening knowledge with you. So, come get your brain pumping.