Definition of moron

The term "moron" was coined by the American psychologist Henry H. Goddard in 1910. It derived from the Greek word "morus," meaning dullard or fool. Goddard used the term to label individuals with an IQ between 50 and 70, which fell within the mild intellectual disability range on the Binet-Simon intelligence test he administered. The label "moron" was seen as less severe than "imbecile" (IQ 25-50) or "idiot" (IQ below 25) and was meant to convey a sense of correctability through education. However, the term "moron" fell into disuse in the latter half of the 20th century as a result of the negative connotations it carried and the increasing recognition that intellectual disabilities are highly varied and complex conditions. Today, the medical community uses more sensitive and less stigmatizing terms to describe individuals with intellectual disabilities.