AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
No notion meaning8/31/2023 Unlike “notion,” the noun “meme” is a modern invention. As the OED notes, that last one is common in negative constructions, like “I had no notion,” “they haven’t the slightest notion,” “little notion did he have,” and so on. Related meanings of “notion” followed: a belief, opinion, or theory (first recorded in 1603) an idea or concept (1607) and an inkling, suspicion, or hint (1698). “I haue collekit als scortly as I ma, in manere of rude introductione, generale notionis of the aucht partis of orisone” (“I have collected as briefly as I may, as a sort of rough introduction, general notions of the eight parts of speech”). Oxford says a new sense of the word emerged in the 16th century: “a general concept, category, or designation.” The earliest known use is from a Latin grammar, Rudimenta Puerorum in Artem Grammaticalem (2nd ed., 1531), by the Scottish grammarian John Vaus: This more recent example for that sense, from Rebecca West’s novel The Fountain Overflows (1957), will sound more familiar to modern ears: “She could not understand why they had got this silly notion of wearing coats and trousers in bed when nightshirts were so much easier to iron.” “Nowe be my nociens, myght I negh nere þe … schulde I lere þe / To lordis to speke curtaisely” (“Now I have a notion, might I come near thee … to teach thee to speak courteously to lords”). In the passage, from Play 32 ( The Remorse of Judas), Caiaphas rebukes Judas: The OED’s earliest citation is from a set of mystery plays-that is, dramas depicting biblical events-known as the York Plays, dated sometime before 1450. In the 15th century, a more personal meaning emerged, and a “notion” came to mean a whim or an inclination to do something. The word entered English in the late 14th century with religious and philosophical meanings that are now rare and have to do with incarnations of the Trinity or with operations in logic. In classical Latin, nōtiōn- or nōtiō meant “concept, idea, legal or intellectual examination,” the OED says, and in post-classical Latin it also meant “knowledge, understanding.” The ultimate source is nōtus (known). “Notion” was a direct borrowing from Latin, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. trope: “A figurative or metaphorical use of a word or expression.” ( The author’s favorite trope is hyperbole.) … “A significant or recurrent theme a motif.” ( The play’s references to wills and inheritance serve as a trope.)Īs for their etymologies, all these words are derived from Latin or Greek.meme: “An element of a culture or system of behaviour passed from one individual to another by imitation or other non-genetic means.” ( Robotic dogs were a cultural meme a few years ago.) … “An image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by Internet users, often with slight variations.” ( Who ever thought that a funny cat photo would become a meme?).notion: “A conception of or belief about something.” ( That’s not my notion of an inexpensive lunch.) … “An impulse or desire, especially one of a whimsical kind.” ( She had a notion to send him flowers.).We’ll use those from Lexico (formerly Oxford Dictionaries Online), along with examples of our own in italics. The definitions in standard dictionaries are fairly straightforward. Finally, a “trope” exists in a literary form, like a figure of speech or a thematic device. A “meme” exists in a more tangible form and is contagious, like a quirky fashion or a video clip that goes viral. Simply put, a “notion” exists in a mental form, like an idea or a desire. Vogue words-and “meme” is especially hot right now-tend to blur as they’re tossed around indiscriminately.īut these three words do have distinct meanings. We would appreciate your advice and have agreed to follow it.Ī: This is the kind of question that can lead into the great Grimpen Mire. Q: Is there a distinction between a meme, a trope, and a notion? This came up during a discussion I had with a couple of English professors.
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |