idiotism

¹ American  

[id-ee-uh-tiz-uhm] / ˈɪd i əˌtɪz əm /

noun

Obsolete.

1. an idiom.

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idiotism ² American  

[id-ee-uh-tiz-uhm] / ˈɪd i əˌtɪz əm /

noun

1. idiotic conduct or action.

2. idiocy.

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idiotism British  

/ ˈɪdɪəˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. an archaic word for idiocy

2. an obsolete word for idiom

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Etymology

Origin of idiotism¹

1580–90; < Latin idiōtismus < Greek idiōtismós a vulgar phrase, peculiar way of speaking

Origin of idiotism¹

First recorded in 1585–95; idiot + -ism

Example Sentences

Suvorov said his former service had sunk into “idiotism”.

From The Guardian

"Level of idiotism in the situation: 1953 per cent," one Twitter user said, referring to the year of Stalin's death.

From BBC

The scenes outside Mr. Saakashvili’s apartment on Kostelnaya Street left some aghast, with Mustafa Nayyem, a reform-minded member of Parliament and a key figure in the 2013-14 protests against Mr. Yanukovych, describing them as “idiotism” on Facebook.

From New York Times

There is in this a degree of weakness and imbecility, a defect of understanding bordering on idiotism, a fundamental ignorance of the first principles of human reason and prudence, that in a great minister is utterly astonishing, and almost incredible.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon this account it is that we oftentimes see silly awkward blockheads displaying their idiotism and folly through all their ensigns of dignity; for some natures are so coarse and rustic, that all the embroidery of a court cannot conceal them.

From Project Gutenberg