Was the word “communist” used prior to Marxist/Leninist writings?
The word 'communism' and 'communist' were certainly popularized by the title of 'The Communist Manifesto' by Mark and Engels.
But was the word 'communist' used prior to Marxist writings? Or was it coined for use in the Communist Manifesto?
etymology history
edited 9 hours ago
Mitch
50.3k15101211
asked 9 hours ago
Linda K. Kramer
242
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Linda K. Kramer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
The word 'communism' and 'communist' were certainly popularized by the title of 'The Communist Manifesto' by Mark and Engels.
But was the word 'communist' used prior to Marxist writings? Or was it coined for use in the Communist Manifesto?
etymology history
edited 9 hours ago
Mitch
50.3k15101211
asked 9 hours ago
Linda K. Kramer
242
New contributor
Linda K. Kramer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
4
It's Lenin, not Lennon. For crying out loud.
– michael.hor257k
9 hours ago
@michael.hor257k Similarly, it's Marx, not Mark.
– Ray
3 hours ago
Well, at least Spencer got out of this.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
Coincidentally, Marx and Spencer are buried in the same cemetery in London. ;) Not to be confused with Marks and Spencer...
– Quuxplusone
58 mins ago
add a comment |
The word 'communism' and 'communist' were certainly popularized by the title of 'The Communist Manifesto' by Mark and Engels.
But was the word 'communist' used prior to Marxist writings? Or was it coined for use in the Communist Manifesto?
etymology history
edited 9 hours ago
Mitch
50.3k15101211
asked 9 hours ago
Linda K. Kramer
242
New contributor
Linda K. Kramer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The word 'communism' and 'communist' were certainly popularized by the title of 'The Communist Manifesto' by Mark and Engels.
But was the word 'communist' used prior to Marxist writings? Or was it coined for use in the Communist Manifesto?
etymology history
etymology history
edited 9 hours ago
Mitch
50.3k15101211
asked 9 hours ago
Linda K. Kramer
242
New contributor
Linda K. Kramer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 9 hours ago
Mitch
50.3k15101211
asked 9 hours ago
Linda K. Kramer
242
New contributor
Linda K. Kramer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 9 hours ago
Mitch
50.3k15101211
edited 9 hours ago
Mitch
50.3k15101211
edited 9 hours ago
Mitch
50.3k15101211
50.3k15101211
asked 9 hours ago
Linda K. Kramer
242
New contributor
Linda K. Kramer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 9 hours ago
Linda K. Kramer
242
asked 9 hours ago
Linda K. Kramer
242
242
New contributor
Linda K. Kramer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Linda K. Kramer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Linda K. Kramer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
4
It's Lenin, not Lennon. For crying out loud.
– michael.hor257k
9 hours ago
@michael.hor257k Similarly, it's Marx, not Mark.
– Ray
3 hours ago
Well, at least Spencer got out of this.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
Coincidentally, Marx and Spencer are buried in the same cemetery in London. ;) Not to be confused with Marks and Spencer...
– Quuxplusone
58 mins ago
add a comment |
4
It's Lenin, not Lennon. For crying out loud.
– michael.hor257k
9 hours ago
@michael.hor257k Similarly, it's Marx, not Mark.
– Ray
3 hours ago
Well, at least Spencer got out of this.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
Coincidentally, Marx and Spencer are buried in the same cemetery in London. ;) Not to be confused with Marks and Spencer...
– Quuxplusone
58 mins ago
4
4
It's Lenin, not Lennon. For crying out loud.
– michael.hor257k
9 hours ago
It's Lenin, not Lennon. For crying out loud.
– michael.hor257k
9 hours ago
@michael.hor257k Similarly, it's Marx, not Mark.
– Ray
3 hours ago
@michael.hor257k Similarly, it's Marx, not Mark.
– Ray
3 hours ago
Well, at least Spencer got out of this.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
Well, at least Spencer got out of this.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
Coincidentally, Marx and Spencer are buried in the same cemetery in London. ;) Not to be confused with Marks and Spencer...
– Quuxplusone
58 mins ago
Coincidentally, Marx and Spencer are buried in the same cemetery in London. ;) Not to be confused with Marks and Spencer...
– Quuxplusone
58 mins ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
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The word was used in English in 1840 according to the OED, which I believe narrowly beats out Marx’s writings:
Noun:
The Communists have their meetings, and the Radical Reformers, who do not go the length of an agrarian law, dine together in numbers.
1840 Morning Chron. 13 July 2/7
Adjective:
A social banquet of the adherents of the Communist, or Communitarian school is expected to take place.
1840 J. G. Barmby in New Moral World 1 Aug. 75/1
Communism:
A man named Dufraisse..concluded with an exposition of the doctrines of Communism..much the same as what Mr. Owen preaches in England, under the name of Socialism.
1840 N.-Y. Spectator 22 Aug. 2/1
Both communist and communism in this sense come from French.
answered 9 hours ago
Laurel
31.2k660111
add a comment |
communism ~ 1843 and communist ~ 1841
Etymology and 1st Usages:
communism (n.)
1843, "social system based on collective ownership," from French
communisme (c. 1840), from commun (Old French comun "common, general,
free, open, public;" see common (adj.)) + -isme (see -ism).
Originally a description of a society, by the early 20c. it was a general a term of abuse for revolutionaries, implying anti-social criminality without regard to political theory. The full etymology in in the citation.
The noun communist now has the following definition: TFD
a. A member of a movement or political party that advocates Communism.
b. A supporter of such a party or movement.
2. A Communard.
3. often communist A radical viewed as a subversive or revolutionary.
So to answer your question:
But was the word 'communist' used prior to Marxist writings? Or was it
coined for use in the Communist Manifesto?
The were very closely co-located in time. It appears the word was incorporated into the English corpus (~ 1841) just prior to the Communist Manifesto (1850).
answered 9 hours ago
lbf
17.7k21864
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The word was used in English in 1840 according to the OED, which I believe narrowly beats out Marx’s writings:
Noun:
The Communists have their meetings, and the Radical Reformers, who do not go the length of an agrarian law, dine together in numbers.
1840 Morning Chron. 13 July 2/7
Adjective:
A social banquet of the adherents of the Communist, or Communitarian school is expected to take place.
1840 J. G. Barmby in New Moral World 1 Aug. 75/1
Communism:
A man named Dufraisse..concluded with an exposition of the doctrines of Communism..much the same as what Mr. Owen preaches in England, under the name of Socialism.
1840 N.-Y. Spectator 22 Aug. 2/1
Both communist and communism in this sense come from French.
answered 9 hours ago
Laurel
31.2k660111
add a comment |
The word was used in English in 1840 according to the OED, which I believe narrowly beats out Marx’s writings:
Noun:
The Communists have their meetings, and the Radical Reformers, who do not go the length of an agrarian law, dine together in numbers.
1840 Morning Chron. 13 July 2/7
Adjective:
A social banquet of the adherents of the Communist, or Communitarian school is expected to take place.
1840 J. G. Barmby in New Moral World 1 Aug. 75/1
Communism:
A man named Dufraisse..concluded with an exposition of the doctrines of Communism..much the same as what Mr. Owen preaches in England, under the name of Socialism.
1840 N.-Y. Spectator 22 Aug. 2/1
Both communist and communism in this sense come from French.
answered 9 hours ago
Laurel
31.2k660111
add a comment |
The word was used in English in 1840 according to the OED, which I believe narrowly beats out Marx’s writings:
Noun:
The Communists have their meetings, and the Radical Reformers, who do not go the length of an agrarian law, dine together in numbers.
1840 Morning Chron. 13 July 2/7
Adjective:
A social banquet of the adherents of the Communist, or Communitarian school is expected to take place.
1840 J. G. Barmby in New Moral World 1 Aug. 75/1
Communism:
A man named Dufraisse..concluded with an exposition of the doctrines of Communism..much the same as what Mr. Owen preaches in England, under the name of Socialism.
1840 N.-Y. Spectator 22 Aug. 2/1
Both communist and communism in this sense come from French.
answered 9 hours ago
Laurel
31.2k660111
The word was used in English in 1840 according to the OED, which I believe narrowly beats out Marx’s writings:
Noun:
The Communists have their meetings, and the Radical Reformers, who do not go the length of an agrarian law, dine together in numbers.
1840 Morning Chron. 13 July 2/7
Adjective:
A social banquet of the adherents of the Communist, or Communitarian school is expected to take place.
1840 J. G. Barmby in New Moral World 1 Aug. 75/1
Communism:
A man named Dufraisse..concluded with an exposition of the doctrines of Communism..much the same as what Mr. Owen preaches in England, under the name of Socialism.
1840 N.-Y. Spectator 22 Aug. 2/1
Both communist and communism in this sense come from French.
answered 9 hours ago
Laurel
31.2k660111
answered 9 hours ago
Laurel
31.2k660111
answered 9 hours ago
Laurel
31.2k660111
answered 9 hours ago
Laurel
31.2k660111
31.2k660111
add a comment |
add a comment |
communism ~ 1843 and communist ~ 1841
Etymology and 1st Usages:
communism (n.)
1843, "social system based on collective ownership," from French
communisme (c. 1840), from commun (Old French comun "common, general,
free, open, public;" see common (adj.)) + -isme (see -ism).
Originally a description of a society, by the early 20c. it was a general a term of abuse for revolutionaries, implying anti-social criminality without regard to political theory. The full etymology in in the citation.
The noun communist now has the following definition: TFD
a. A member of a movement or political party that advocates Communism.
b. A supporter of such a party or movement.
2. A Communard.
3. often communist A radical viewed as a subversive or revolutionary.
So to answer your question:
But was the word 'communist' used prior to Marxist writings? Or was it
coined for use in the Communist Manifesto?
The were very closely co-located in time. It appears the word was incorporated into the English corpus (~ 1841) just prior to the Communist Manifesto (1850).
answered 9 hours ago
lbf
17.7k21864
add a comment |
communism ~ 1843 and communist ~ 1841
Etymology and 1st Usages:
communism (n.)
1843, "social system based on collective ownership," from French
communisme (c. 1840), from commun (Old French comun "common, general,
free, open, public;" see common (adj.)) + -isme (see -ism).
Originally a description of a society, by the early 20c. it was a general a term of abuse for revolutionaries, implying anti-social criminality without regard to political theory. The full etymology in in the citation.
The noun communist now has the following definition: TFD
a. A member of a movement or political party that advocates Communism.
b. A supporter of such a party or movement.
2. A Communard.
3. often communist A radical viewed as a subversive or revolutionary.
So to answer your question:
But was the word 'communist' used prior to Marxist writings? Or was it
coined for use in the Communist Manifesto?
The were very closely co-located in time. It appears the word was incorporated into the English corpus (~ 1841) just prior to the Communist Manifesto (1850).
answered 9 hours ago
lbf
17.7k21864
add a comment |
communism ~ 1843 and communist ~ 1841
Etymology and 1st Usages:
communism (n.)
1843, "social system based on collective ownership," from French
communisme (c. 1840), from commun (Old French comun "common, general,
free, open, public;" see common (adj.)) + -isme (see -ism).
Originally a description of a society, by the early 20c. it was a general a term of abuse for revolutionaries, implying anti-social criminality without regard to political theory. The full etymology in in the citation.
The noun communist now has the following definition: TFD
a. A member of a movement or political party that advocates Communism.
b. A supporter of such a party or movement.
2. A Communard.
3. often communist A radical viewed as a subversive or revolutionary.
So to answer your question:
But was the word 'communist' used prior to Marxist writings? Or was it
coined for use in the Communist Manifesto?
The were very closely co-located in time. It appears the word was incorporated into the English corpus (~ 1841) just prior to the Communist Manifesto (1850).
answered 9 hours ago
lbf
17.7k21864
communism ~ 1843 and communist ~ 1841
Etymology and 1st Usages:
communism (n.)
1843, "social system based on collective ownership," from French
communisme (c. 1840), from commun (Old French comun "common, general,
free, open, public;" see common (adj.)) + -isme (see -ism).
Originally a description of a society, by the early 20c. it was a general a term of abuse for revolutionaries, implying anti-social criminality without regard to political theory. The full etymology in in the citation.
The noun communist now has the following definition: TFD
a. A member of a movement or political party that advocates Communism.
b. A supporter of such a party or movement.
2. A Communard.
3. often communist A radical viewed as a subversive or revolutionary.
So to answer your question:
But was the word 'communist' used prior to Marxist writings? Or was it
coined for use in the Communist Manifesto?
The were very closely co-located in time. It appears the word was incorporated into the English corpus (~ 1841) just prior to the Communist Manifesto (1850).
answered 9 hours ago
lbf
17.7k21864
edited 8 hours ago
answered 9 hours ago
lbf
17.7k21864
answered 9 hours ago
lbf
17.7k21864
answered 9 hours ago
lbf
17.7k21864
17.7k21864
add a comment |
add a comment |
Linda K. Kramer is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Linda K. Kramer is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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4
It's Lenin, not Lennon. For crying out loud.
– michael.hor257k
9 hours ago
@michael.hor257k Similarly, it's Marx, not Mark.
– Ray
3 hours ago
Well, at least Spencer got out of this.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
Coincidentally, Marx and Spencer are buried in the same cemetery in London. ;) Not to be confused with Marks and Spencer...
– Quuxplusone
58 mins ago