Nous

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David Myer
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Nous

Postby David Myer » Fri Mar 12, 2021 2:47 am

The origins of this chiefly British word for common sense, or sometimes Gumption (I see that one was discussed under Moxie some years ago), are a mystery to me. Any ideas, anyone?

Incidentally I think Nous (pronounced nowce) is an intellectual phenomenon, whereas Gumption has an element of enterprise in it, much as Moxie appears to have.

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Slava
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Re: Nous

Postby Slava » Fri Mar 12, 2021 6:47 am

From the Greek for mind or intellect, it has a specific use in philosophy. Or it's French, as in entre nous. :D

I've always pronounced it noose in the English version.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

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Dr. Goodword
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Re: Nous

Postby Dr. Goodword » Tue Mar 16, 2021 10:11 am

This is an absolutely fascinating word; however, I can't find anything in my etymological dictionaries on it, not even related words in other languages.
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call_copse
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Re: Nous

Postby call_copse » Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:48 am

Wikipedia does OK on this :-) As Slava says it's from the Greek νους

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nous
Iain


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