Nincompoop (Unknown Origin)

Nincompoop.

Where in the world did that word come from?

My dictionary says "origin unknown." I hate that. If anyone knows where this word came from, please let me know!

Nincompoop. I have to say it sounds French. Or Faux French. I would venture a guess that it is a mispronunciation of another more arrogant word, maybe noncompliant, or nonconformist? My best guess would be that it comes from incompetant or non-competant.

It means fool or idiot. I think it is related to ninny, and possibly to nitwit and dimwit, other synonyms.

Tempest in a teapot

There's something you don't hear every day, "Tempest in a Teapot. "

I don't know why, I kinda like it. It means a big controversy about a trivial matter.

Aren't most of our fears really trivial when analyzed or disected?

Tempestuous. It means violent or turbulent. Tempest is a violent wind. Both are derived from a Latin word meaning "weather."

Just War?

Just is an interesting word. It has 2 meanings. As an adverb, it is synonomous with merely. As an adjective it is related to justice and justified (all from Latin), and means legitimate, or fair and impartial.

For example is there such a thing as a Just War? Is it possible to think that war is justified by the circumstances? Many people think so. But Thick Nhat Hanh in Creating True Peace would disagree. He embraces a philosophy of Peace and Nonviolence. He points out that violence always begets more violence and the only antidote to violence is peace. History has definitely shown that if you hurt or kill someone, someone else will kill or hurt someone in retribution. And so on and so on. Where does it end? Violence will not end violence it only generates more violence and hate. If we kill a terrorist, another will rise up to avenge the first.

It makes sense. Too much sense. Is the world ready for it?

Svelte

Svelte. It means thin, willowy. It sounds much better than "skinny."

It is the only word in my pocket dictionary which starts with s, v, an interesting combination.

It says it comes from Italian!