The 'Etymology corner' has received a request! How exciting, our first fan mail! Our reader is asking about the origin of the word "skeptic". Let's take a look:
skeptic
A person who questions the validity or authenticity of something purporting to be factual.
Origin:
1565–75; < Late Latin scepticus thoughtful, inquiring (in plural Sceptici the Skeptics) < Greek skeptikós,
equivalent to sképt ( esthai ) to consider, examine (akin to skopeîn to look; see -scope) + -ikos -ic
Very interesting to see that "skeptic" and "scope" are related, both meaning "to look at", although obviously "skeptic" can have a slightly negative connotation.
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April 05, 2011
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First and most importantly thanks for the answer! I would argue that skeptic has a negative connotation because we've given it one, but it shouldn't. We should all be skeptics and may the truth win out.
Posted by: Jim Smith II | April 08, 2011 at 08:27 AM