Comments on: Queen Victoria: “A new Sect, which is sprung up, in America”

By: BHodges

BHodges — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:52:53 +0000

Idiot was actually based on a Greek word (idiōtēs), but the Greek word Greek “moros” means “foolish, dull, sluggish, stupid.” This is the word which was used starting in the 20th century to refer to a higher grade of intellectually disabled people–they were said to be morally idiotic, but could blend in quite well so they were thought to be a bit more dangerous to social well-being according to the physicians. It seems to me this fellow was simply drawing on his own knowledge of Greek for the connection.

By: Peter fagg

Peter fagg — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 19:36:57 +0000

Wonderful!

By: Kent Larsen

Kent Larsen — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 18:57:46 +0000

So, has anyone figured out who “Murray” is? The one who is “in a great fright about a new Sect”?

The looking around I’ve done suggests that “Murray” is “Charles Augustus Murray” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Augustus_Murray) who had spent the previous few years traveling in the U.S. (detailed in his book “Travels in North America”)

By: Chocolate on my Cranium

Chocolate on my Cranium — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 04:18:30 +0000

Great laugh for today!

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 02:50:17 +0000

One other thing–in 1838, Victoria was only 19 years old. Hardly old enough to have any secrets, to say nothing of sophisticated understanding of new religious movements.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 02:24:04 +0000

Looks like it's Lord Melbourne.

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 02:00:14 +0000

If I remember correctly (and weren’t too lazy to go upstairs and dig out my OED and find out for certain), moron had not in 1838 made it into the common vernacular. That might explain Lord M’s confusion (or the evils of a hereditary, inbred aristocracy may simply have been made manifest in Lord M). Thankfully, “moron” is now available for ready use–and is particularly helpful when riding a bicycle in New York City, I’ve found.

By the way, any clue who was hiding behind that “M”?

By: Grant

Grant — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 01:56:48 +0000

Well, you can’t expect the Queen to get everything right.

Bwahahahaha!

By: Steve C.

Steve C. — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 00:20:42 +0000

How funny. Thanks David M. and Yeechang Lee.