Why do English people over 40 think dumb means cannot speak in old English, when Americans say it means stupid?
46-50
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DrWatson · 70-79, M
The word "dumb" originally meant "incapable of speaking, mute." Often the term was applied to deaf people, who since they could not hear sounds, did not learn how to speak. Hence the old term "deaf and dumb."
In traditional biblical translations, a mute person is referred to as dumb. Isaiah prophesizes "the dumb shall speak". At least, that is how the King James and other translators put it into English, reflecting how the word was used in English at the time.
People with such an affliction made noises which were easy to misinterpret as a sign of stupidity, and thus the word , unfortunately and unfairly, came to mean "stupid." But that is a relatively modern development.
In traditional biblical translations, a mute person is referred to as dumb. Isaiah prophesizes "the dumb shall speak". At least, that is how the King James and other translators put it into English, reflecting how the word was used in English at the time.
People with such an affliction made noises which were easy to misinterpret as a sign of stupidity, and thus the word , unfortunately and unfairly, came to mean "stupid." But that is a relatively modern development.
