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A fiercely debated etymology, this author supports neither main derivative body;

First English attest in 1676, Despite similarity [noted by Johnson] to Latin legal phrase non compos mentis "insane, mentally incompetent" (1607), the connection is denied by etymologists because the earliest forms lack the second -n-. Weekley (q.v.)thinks first element may be a proper name, and cites Nicodemus, which he says was used in French for "a fool," or Nicholas himself(pacet).

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15y ago

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