Idiots R Us...

[Crossbreed]

I just realized that "autism" is the Greek-based equivalent of the Latin-based [edit: Greek-based synonym] "idiocy..."

 

[tree]

How did you come to that conclusion?

 

[Suzanne]

Well, thankfully I am not an idiot then, because I do not have autism. I have Asperger's which is a spectrum of autism.

 

[thejuice]

Latin was boring. So there.

 

[Rodafina]

@Crossbreed
I am also wondering how you came to this conclusion.

 

[Misty Avich]

Another reason to feel embarrassed about being on the autism spectrum.

 

[TBRS1]

"autism (n.)
1912, from German Autismus, coined 1912 by Swiss psychiatrist Paul Bleuler from Greek autos "self" (see auto-) + -ismos suffix of action or of state (see -ism). The notion is of "morbid self-absorption."

autism | Etymology of autism by etymonline

idiocy | Etymology of idiocy by etymonline

 

[Misty Avich]

"autism (n.)
1912, from German Autismus, coined 1912 by Swiss psychiatrist Paul Bleuler from Greek autos "self" (see auto-) + -ismos suffix of action or of state (see -ism). The notion is of "morbid self-absorption."

autism | Etymology of autism by etymonline

idiocy | Etymology of idiocy by etymonline

Well that certainly doesn't describe me because I'm not selfish.

 

[Aspychata]

History of medicine is wrought with inconsistencies, wrong diagnoses, mislabels, biases. Just find this tibit interesting.

 

[Neri]

"autism (n.)
1912, from German Autismus, coined 1912 by Swiss psychiatrist Paul Bleuler from Greek autos "self" (see auto-) + -ismos suffix of action or of state (see -ism). The notion is of "morbid self-absorption."

autism | Etymology of autism by etymonline

idiocy | Etymology of idiocy by etymonline

My interpretation is "self-directed". Makes more sense to me. I don't think we are "idiots"; that's not accurate.

 

[Ken]

Then, do you suppose Albert Einstein was an idiot?

 

[TBRS1]

Well that certainly doesn't describe me because I'm not selfish.

Not entirely sure, but I think if you de-Orwell it, "morbid self-absorption" means "likes to be alone more than they are supposed to."

 

[Misty Avich]

Not entirely sure, but I think if you de-Orwell it, "morbid self-absorption" means "likes to be alone more than they are supposed to."

What about autistic people who hate being alone? I've always hated being alone. I really wish autism wasn't called autism.

 

[Crossbreed]

How did you come to that conclusion?

@Crossbreed
I am also wondering how you came to this conclusion.

Etymologically speaking,
autism < Gr. autos "self, oneself."
idiot, idiom, et al. < Gr. idios "oneself."
(I was incorrect about its Latin origin.

)

 

[Crossbreed]

What about autistic people who hate being alone? I've always hated being alone. I really wish autism wasn't called autism.

Autism is not about being selfish. It is about being intensely self-referencing. Our frame of reference tends to be very internalized/introverted.

 

[Misty Avich]

Don't want to be "self". I hate myself as it is.

I've always been highly expressive so I very seldom internalise my feelings or thoughts. Sometimes I wish I could.

 

[Rodafina]

Etymologically speaking,
autism < Gr. autos "self, oneself."
idiot, idiom, et al. < Gr. idios "oneself."
(I was incorrect about its Latin origin.

)

Looks like the meaning of the word idiot has changed quite a bit since then:

Spoiler: Greek meaning of the word "idiot."

An “idiot” who in modern use, is a stupid or foolish person, for ancient Greeks had a different meaning and did not carry the derogatory or insulting sense that it does today.


The ancient Greek understanding of an “idiot” referred to someone who was a private citizen or a person who did not actively participate in public life or politics.


It comes from the Greek noun ἰδιώτης idiōtēs ‘a private person, an individual’ (as opposed to the state), ‘a private citizen’ (as opposed to someone with a political office), or ‘a common man’.

Source