{"id":1734,"date":"2022-02-22T04:10:48","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T04:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=1734"},"modified":"2022-02-22T04:10:48","modified_gmt":"2022-02-22T04:10:48","slug":"moot-point-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/moot-point-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Moot Point - Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you in a conversation with friends, and someone says something totally irrelevant to the discussion? If so, they are making a \"moot point<\/em>.\" This post unpacks everything you need to know about the origin and meaning of this expression.<\/p>\n

Moot Point Meaning<\/h2>\n

The meaning of the saying \"moot point<\/em>\" stems from the word \"mute<\/em>,\" which means \"silent; refraining from speech or utterance.<\/em>\" Pairing the word with \"point<\/em>\" implies that the person making the point would do better if they had said nothing at all.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, the meaning of \"moot point<\/em>\" is that anyone making a statement or point is adding no value to the conversation, or what they are talking about doesn't have any relevance.<\/p>\n

For example, it's like talking on the phone with the mute function activated. You think you're making a good point and adding value to the conversation, but no one seems to care or believe that your statement is worth mentioning.<\/p>\n

Moot Point Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\"Did the chicken or the egg come first? Well, I suppose it's a moot point<\/em>.\"<\/p>\n

\"Did Shakespeare write the play, or was it someone else? Well, I guess it's a moot point<\/em>.\"<\/p>\n

\"The debate around natural or man-made climate change is a moot point<\/em>; there is plenty of evidence proving the latter.\"<\/p>\n

\"Of course, this is a moot point<\/em> for pet owners who didn't buy their dog from an established breeder that takes care of the animal and understands its lineage.\"<\/p>\n

\"This new PS5 isn't as comprehensive as the new Xbox version, but if you don't own the Xbox, it's kind of a moot point<\/em>.\"<\/p>\n

\"If you have an allergy to sesame seeds, the nutritional value of the food is a moot point<\/em> in light of the immunological response the body has when eating the seeds.\"<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Moot Point\u00a0 Origin<\/h2>\n

The phrase \"moot point<\/em>\" derives from the British version of the expression, \"mute point<\/em>.\" However, in America, \"moot point<\/em>\" is the correct spelling, while you'll hear British people use the other variant.<\/p>\n

The expression evolves from British law, where legislation describes hypothetical points of discussion used in case studies for law students. The early definition of \"moot<\/em>\" is \"an assembly of the people in early England exercising political, administrative, and judicial powers<\/em>.\"<\/p>\n

Like many other Americanisms of British words, \"moot point<\/em>\" replaced the British version sometime in the late 1700s.<\/p>\n

The word also has a comical origin from the popular TV show \"Friends<\/em>.\" The character \"Joey<\/em>,\" played by Matt LeBlanc, used the spelling \"moo point<\/em>\" because he doesn't believe cows have anything worth adding to a conversation.<\/p>\n