Village idiot
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The village idiot is, in strict terms, a person locally known for ignorance or stupidity but is also a common term for a stereotypically silly or nonsensical person or stock character.
Description
The term "village idiot" is also used as a stereotype of the mentally disabled.[1] It has also been applied as an epithet for an unrealistically optimistic or naive individual.[2]
The village idiot was long considered an acceptable
court jester.[citation needed
] The village idiot has become a character archetype, similar to an oaf or comic relief in narrative structure.
References
- ^ Siegel, L.J., 1970: The Justifications for Medical Commitment--Real or Illusory. Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine Wake Forest Intramural Law Review, 6, 21.
- ^ Culebras, A., 1997: The village idiot. European Journal of Neurology 4, 535–536.
- ISBN 978-1-85000-616-9.
- ^ Dols, M.W., 1987: Insanity and its treatment in Islamic society. Medical History 31, 1-14.
External links
The dictionary definition of village idiot at Wiktionary
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