A dunce is a person considered to be incapable of learning. The word is
derived from the name of the Scholastic theologian and philosopher John Duns
Scotus, also referred to as Doctor Subtillis, or "Subtle Doctor", whose
works on logic, theology and philosophy were accepted textbooks in the
universities from the 14th century. Duns or Dunsman was a name applied by
early opponents to the followers of Duns Scotus, who were less disparagingly
called the Scotists. When, in the 16th century, the Scotists obstinately
opposed the new learning, the term duns or dunce became, in the mouths of the
Protestants a term of abuse, a synonym for one incapable of scholarship. This
was the etymology given by Richard Stinhurst. Samuel Johnson, on the other
hand, maintained that the source of the word was unknown.
Dunces are often comedically shown wearing paper cone hats, known as dunce
caps with the word "dunce" or "dumb", or simply a capitalized "D" on them.
Schoolchildren were sometimes compelled to wear a dunce cap and to sit on a
stool in the corner as a form of humiliating punishment for misbehaving
or for failing to demonstrate that they had properly performed their studies.
Origins The word "dunce" comes from John Duns
Scotus, the Scottish Franciscan scholar who, with Thomas Aquinas and William of
Ockham, was one of the leading Scholastic philosopher-theologians of
the High Middle Ages. Duns Scotus wrote treatises on theology, grammar, logic,
and metaphysics which were widely influential throughout Western Europe,
earning Duns the papal accolade Doctor Subtilis. However, with the advent of
the Renaissance and the New Learning, and then the Protestant Reformation,
many of Duns's theories and methods were challenged or rejected by Humanist and
Protestant scholars, who used the term "Dunsman" or "Dunce" in a pejorative
sense to denote those who foolishly clung on to outmoded doctrine. Gradually
"dunsman" or "dunce" was used more widely for anyone stupid or dull-witted.
Dunce cap A dunce cap, also variously known as a
dunce hat, dunce's cap or dunce's hat, is a pointed hat, formerly used as an
article of discipline in schools. In popular culture, it is typically made of
paper and often marked with a D or the word "dunce", and given to unruly
schoolchildren to wear. Duns Scotus was the originator of the instrument.
Frequently the 'dunce' was made to stand in the corner, facing the wall.
Depending on the teacher, he might have to stand for as long as half an hour.
The hope was that no one would want to be labelled the "dunce" in the class,
even for a short period of time, and would thus avoid misbehaviour. Examples
of behaviour which could warrant the dunce cap included throwing spitballs,
passing notes, or pulling of hair. Class clowns were frequently admonished with
the dunce cap. In modern pedagogy, dunce caps are
extremely rare. According to Cecil Adams, Duns Scotus
recommended the wearing of conical hats to stimulate the brain – so-called
"thinking caps". However, the Oxford English Dictionary records that the term
"dunce cap" itself did not enter the English language until after the term
"dunce" had become a synonym for "fool" or "dimwit". In fact, "dunce cap" is not
recorded before the 1840 novel The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. John
Ford's 1624 play The Sun's Darling is the first recorded mention of the
related term "dunce table," a table provided for duller or poorer students.
Literary dunce A literary dunce is a person, either
real or legendary, who is used in literature as a target of satire. This
usage of the term derives from Alexander Pope's landmark poetic satire, The
Dunciad, and the list is for figures used as dunces by 18th-century British
satire. It is also for early 19th-century
authors who used the same general terminology. Dunces are not villains,
although they can be villainous, as much as they are held up as the epitome of
stupidity, imposture, and connivance. Inclusion in the list below does not
imply that the figure was a dullard. In fact, the opposite is likely true, as
these figures needed to rise to a position of importance to be satirized
in this way. Instead, these are figures who were satirized particularly as
symbols of all things "wrong" with society or a particular political
position. Unfortunately, in some cases it has overshadowed their merits.
See also List of literary dunces
References Etymology of "dunce"
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain:
Chisholm, Hugh, ed.. Encyclopædia Britannica. Cambridge University Press.
External links Gaudere. "What's the origin of the dunce
cap?". The Straight Dope. Retrieved March 2010.
"Dunce’s corner banned - but how did it all start? What’s the origin of the
dunce cap?". Spd Rdng. January 2010. Retrieved March 2010.