MATAEOLOGIAN also MATEOLOGIAN NOUN one who discourses or speculates vainly or fruitlessly; one who indulges in nonsense; an empty talker ...1653 rare ETYMOLOGY from Middle French mateologien (vain discourser) from ancient Greek ματαιολόγος (adj. talking at random); from ancient Greek μάταιος (vain) + -λόγος (speaking) + French -ien (ian) probably after théologien (theologian) FIRST DOCUMENTED USE 1653 - see EXAMPLE below EXAMPLE "...Then he said to Grangousier, Do you see this young boy? he is not as yet full twelve yeares old; let us try (if it please you) what difference there is betwixt the knowledge of the doting Mateologians of old time, and the young lads that are now. The trial pleased Grangousier, and he commanded the Page to begin..." From: The First book of the Works of Mr. Francis Rabelais - Translated by Thomas Urquhart
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