Opsimath
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An opsimath can refer to a person who begins, or continues, to study or learn late in life.[1] The word is derived from the Greek οπσε (opse), meaning 'late' and μανθανω (manthano), meaning 'learn'.[2]
Opsimathy was once frowned upon, used as a put down with implications of laziness,[3] and considered less effective by educators than early learning.[4] However, the opsimath population is increasing in the USA,[5] and the emergence of "opsimath clubs"[6] proves that opsimathy is no longer looked down upon,[7] but is in fact desirable.[8]
Notable opsimaths include Joseph Henry Blackburne, the leading English chess player in the late 19th Century, who didn't learn the chess moves until the comparatively late age of 19.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, page 2010. Oxford University Press, 2002.
- ^ Bowler, Peter: "The Superior Person's Book of Words", page 101. Bloomsbury, 2002.
- ^ FirstThings.com essay regarding "exposure" of opsimathy, implying negativity. (URL accessed April 15, 2006)
- ^ nifl.gov thread concerning opsimathy. (URL accessed April 15, 2006)
- ^ yourDictionary Word of the Day asserts that opsimathy is on the rise. (URL accessed April 15, 2006)
- ^ Simon Fraser News reports an "opsimath club". (URL accessed April 15, 2006)
- ^ Glasgow Caledonian University speech aggrandizing opsimathy. (URL accessed April 15, 2006)
- ^ NIACE.org promotes adult learning. (URL accessed April 15, 2006)
- ^ Academic Chess article about the ages of chess grandmasters. (URL accessed April 15, 2006)
