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
“Moot Point” Definition
When someone makes a ‘moot point’ they are making a point which is totally irrelevant and has no bearing on the situation. The point that they are making has no importance.
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.
“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!
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” Definition | Image
Last Updated on December 18, 2020