Comment · Thu, September 15, 2016 · Ceretropic & Nootropics Depot
Setting the record straight on the roots of the term "nootropic" - (noos = mind & tropein = towards)
What they were answering
matznerd · 1 points
I do not necessarily make a claim as to the etymology of the word τρέπω, you can leave that to the linked dictionaries. However, as translated by Giurgea, who was multilingual and was the person inventing the word and concept itself, he interpreted it as "tropein" meaning "towards."
So when discussing what nootropics means and especially the suffix "-tropic" in this context (when combined with "noos" as it is in "nootropic"), I show the source material that clearly states that "-tropic" means "towards", and "nootropics" as a whole means "towards the mind."
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · Ceretropic & Nootropics Depot
I think the confusion arises from the fact that Giurgea was using part of the medical definition of tropic, "turning toward," instead of the direct Greek translation.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/-tropic
-tropic
word element [Gr.], turning toward; changing; tending to turn or change.
The Greek translation of τρέπειν is "to turn," though.
It's interesting to see his comments focusing on the "toward" aspect of the definition, as the medical definition is more focusing on the "turn" aspect. That is more delineating a turn or change in response to a stimuli, or having an affinity for something. In any event, while it's interesting to see his (mis)use of the definition to focus on the "toward" aspect, it seems a bit pedantic to really argue about it much. It does look like he did mean it more to be "toward the mind." However, I would not fault anyone for using the correct definitions when discussing the etymology.