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Word History

The History of 'Cynic'

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.


How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

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The History of 'Cynic'

 

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

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They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

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A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)

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Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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Some imitative words are more surprising than others

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Soop, wimmen, and headake did not make the cut