Contents
The term ‘moot point’ may be regularly heard during various conversations in English, but what does this phrase mean and where did it come from in the first place? We are going to answer both of these questions as well as looking at how we can use the term in a conversation.
“Moot Point” Meaning, Origin and Usage
Key Takeaways
- The term “moot point” refers to a topic or issue that is no longer relevant or has no practical significance, often because the situation has changed or because it is hypothetical in nature. It is commonly used in discussions or debates to indicate that a particular argument or concern is no longer worth considering or discussing.
“Moot Point” Meaning
The term “moot point” refers to a subject or issue that is open to discussion or debate but is considered irrelevant or not worth discussing due to the circumstances or because it has no practical significance. It implies that, regardless of the argument or discussion, it will not affect the outcome or resolution of the situation.
Examples:
- “Whether we should have chosen a different venue is now a moot point since the event is already over.”
- “The question of who was right is a moot point; what matters is how we move forward.”
Origin of This Idiom
The phrase ‘moot point’ originally comes from a background in English law where students were given these ‘moot points’ to discuss as part of their education. In old English, the word moot meant a group of people who discussed and exercised political power.
Usage of “Moot Point”
- In a discussion about a policy change:
“Since the law was changed last year, the debate about the old policy has become a moot point.”
- Talking about a hypothetical situation:
“Arguing about what we would have done differently is a moot point since the project has already been completed.”
- During a meeting:
“Now that we’ve decided on a budget, the question of whether we can afford it is a moot point.”
- In a conversation about past events:
“Whether they should have taken the earlier flight is a moot point now that they’re already here.”
Related Terms to “Moot Point”
- Irrelevant – not connected to the matter at hand; having no bearing on the current issue.
- Academic discussion – a debate or discussion that is theoretical and has no practical application or consequence.
- Pointless – lacking purpose or significance; not worth discussing.
- Redundant – no longer useful or necessary; excessive in relation to the current context.
- Superfluous – unnecessary or excessive; not needed.
- Unnecessary debate – a discussion that does not contribute meaningfully to the resolution of an issue.
- Hypothetical – based on possible scenarios rather than real or practical situations.
- Non-issue – a subject that does not merit consideration; something that is insignificant.
- Dead end – a situation or argument that leads nowhere or has no productive outcome.
- Speculative – based on conjecture or theory rather than concrete evidence; uncertain.
Other Ways to Say “Moot Point”
There are many other ways to express the meaning of the term ‘moot point.’
Here are some examples of other things you can say which carry the same meaning.
- Irrelevant question
- Point of no importance
- Unnecessary
“Moot Point” Examples
Examples in Statements
This is a statement being made by a lawyer in court.
- ‘Your client is not contributing anything to this case by making the moot point he has just made.’
This next statement is being said by a mother to her daughter.
- ‘You are making a moot point by trying to argue about whether or not it was your fault. The incident has happened it doesn’t matter who caused it.’
Other examples:
- It is a moot point whether a supranational authority is also required.
- Whether this should be enforced by law or not is a moot point.
- The question mooted in the board meeting is still a moot point.
Conversation Examples
If you are wondering how the term ‘moot point’ can work in a conversation, here are some examples to show how it would sound.
The first conversation is between two co-workers.
- Person 1: “If you had not deleted that email we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
- Person 2: “Well, it’s a moot point now because the boss is going to be mad at us both anyway.”
The next conversation is happening between two friends.
- Person 1: “Kelly has really turned on us since she started seeing Amy.”
- Person 2: “Well it’s really a moot point now as I wouldn’t want to see her again anyway!
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