To mock a mocking mock

The act of "mocking" is not related to a "mock-up" which is from about 1915 to 1920 as an imitation of the French word "maquette" ≈ "model, mock-up" which is through Italian from the Latin word "macula" ≈ "spot, stain" which is related to the ancient Greek word "σμάω" ≈ "wipe clear, cleanse".

The "macula" of the eye is a spot at the back of the eye and required for high-resolution color vision (in good light).

There are many sayings that involve the nose, some of which relate to "mocking" or "deriding". These are saying you should "knows" about.

"thumb your nose at"
"have your nose in the air"
"rub the nose in"
"keep your nose clean"

"in front of my nose", "right under my nose"
"nose up", "nose down", "nose out"
"on the nose", as opposed to "in the know"
"cut off your nose to spite your face"
"keep your nose to the grindstone"
"stick your nose into something"
"have a nose for something"

A human has one "nose" but two "nostrils".

The title of this page is a play on two ideas.

The book "To kill a mockingbird" is a novel published in 1960 by American author Harper Lee. Many older individuals in the United States were required to read it in middle or high school.

The book "To mock a mockingbird" is a collection of mostly self-referential logic puzzles, in this case using combinatory logic, by mathematician and logician Richard Smullyan.

Raymond Smullyan (American mathematician, magician and logician) was a grade-school classmate of Richard Feynman. He later studied under the great logician Alonzo Church. The Church-Turing thesis is a foundation computability theory.

1936: Church had the lambda calculus, a declarative functional way of thinking about computing.
1936: Turing had the Turning machine, an operational way of thinking about computing.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. [kjv]

μη πλανασθε θεος ου μυκτηριζεται ο γαρ εαν σπειρη ανθρωπος τουτο και θερισει [gnt]

The phrase "to mock a mocking mock" is a self-referential phrase that plays on the verse in Galatians 6:7 where one reaps, reflexively, what one sows.
The Greek for "deceived" is that of "wandering" and the source of the English word "planet". The Greek for "mocked" is, literally, "snot out of your nose". There are many phrases using the nose that are relevant, such as "turn up your nose", "thumb your nose", etc.

More: Matthew 12:30-37 Pardon the idle word counting

More: Planets as wandering stars

More: Plausible deniability and narcissism

Galatians 6:7

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KJV: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Greek: μη πλανασθε θεος ου μυκτηριζεται ο γαρ εαν σπειρη ανθρωπος τουτο και θερισει

Latin: nolite errare Deus non inridetur

Wycliffe: Nyle ye erre, God is not scorned;

Geneva: Be not deceiued: God is not mocked: for whatsoeuer a man soweth, that shall hee also reape.

Gothic: ni wairthaith airzjai; guth ni bilaikada. manna auk thatei saijith thata jah sneithith.

Luther: Irret euch nicht; Gott läßt sich nicht spotten! Denn was der Mensch säet, das wird er ernten.

Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]

How does a "sheep" know if it has gone or is going "astray"?
The ancient Greek word "πλάνη" ≈ "wandering, roaming" and, figuratively, "going astray" or "in error". as in wandering off-target. The English word "planet" comes from this Greek word as a shortened form of "wandering star" since planets were considered wandering stars. The modern Greek word "πλανήτης" (pla-NEE-tees) ≈ "planet".

Discuss: Consider the billions of people throughout the ages. Are the "many" a few insurrectionists from the first century or so who led a few thousand followers?

More: Planets as wandering stars

What types of things might a man "sow" that would then be "reaped"?

Can you think of things that have to do with "false Christs" or "fake Christs" or "false teaching"?

More: Matthew 24: False Christs and all of it

Here we are interested in the Greek word used for "mock".

*G1592 *2 ἐκμυκτερίζω (ek-mook-ter-id'-zo) : from G1537 and G3456 μυκτηρίζω; to sneer outright at:--deride.

Usage

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εξεμυκτηριζον *2

Luke 16:14 ... all these things: and they derided him.
Luke 23:35 ... also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; ...

*G3456 *1 μυκτηρίζω (mook-tay-rid'-zo) : from a derivative of the base of G3455 (meaning snout, as that whence lowing proceeds); to make mouths at, i.e. ridicule:--mock.

Usage

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μυκτηριζεται

Galatians 6:7 ... deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever ...

In Toy Story 1, Buzz Lightyear (the object engineering type) says to Woodie (the feelings-oriented cowboy), "You're mocking me, aren't you?", as if he could not be sure. Woodie then reassures him, playing a trick on him, at which point the cruel neighbor boy Sid is introduced into the story.

In other places, the KJV (King James Version) uses "mock" where the Greek word is more like "playing with" in a negative sense is in "jeering" or "deriding".

The ancient Greek word "παιζω" ≈ "play" and is related to the ancient Greek word "παῖς" ≈ "son, boy, servant". the ancient Greek word for "child". The idea of "playing" is that of something a child does.

The modern Greek word "παίζω" (PEH-zo) ≈ "play".

Matthew 27:41

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KJV: Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

Greek: ομοιως δε και οι αρχιερεις εμπαιζοντες μετα των γραμματεων και πρεσβυτερων ελεγον

Latin: similiter et principes sacerdotum inludentes cum scribis et senioribus dicentes

Wessex: Eac þare sacerde ealdres. hyme (sic) bysmeredon mid þam bokeran & mid þam ealdran. & cwaeðen.

Wycliffe: Also and princis of prestis scornynge, with scribis and elder men,

Tyndale: Lykwyse also the hye prestes mockinge him with the scribes aud elders sayde:

Luther: Desgleichen auch die Hohenpriester spotteten sein samt den Schriftgelehrten und Ältesten und sprachen:

*G1702 *13 ἐμπαίζω (emp-aheed'-zo) : from G1722 and G3815; to jeer at, i.e. deride:--mock.

Usage

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ενεπαιξαν *4

Matthew 27:29 ... they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, ...
Matthew 27:31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe ...
Mark 15:20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple ...
Luke 23:36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, ...

εμπαιζοντες *2

Matthew 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and ...
Mark 15:31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves ...

ενεπαιχθη

Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was ...

εμπαιξαι

Matthew 20:19 ... him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and ...

εμπαιξουσιν

Mark 10:34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, ...

εμπαιζειν

Luke 14:29 ... it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

εμπαιχθησεται

Luke 18:32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

ενεπαιζον

Luke 22:63 ... that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.

εμπαιξας

Luke 23:11 ... him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous ...

The root of the first "mock" (above) appears in 3 verses in the GNT (Greek New Testament) and 29 verses in the LXX (Septuagint).

All 2 verses in the GNT follow (the other is above).

Luke 16:14

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KJV: And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

Greek: ηκουον δε ταυτα παντα και οι φαρισαιοι φιλαργυροι υπαρχοντες και εξεμυκτηριζον αυτον

Luke 23:35

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KJV: And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

Greek: και ειστηκει ιστηκει ο λαος θεωρων εξεμυκτηριζον δε και οι αρχοντες συν αυτοις λεγοντες αλλους εσωσεν σωσατω εαυτον ει ουτος εστιν ο χριστος ο του θεου ο εκλεκτος

One needs to know (or "nose") about the nose and the Greek word for "mock" and "deride".

The PIE (Proto Indo-European) root "*NEHS" ≈ "" is the source of many words for and related to "nose".

The English word "nose" is from the Old English word "nosu" ≈ "nose".

The German word "Nase" ≈ "nose".
The Russian word "нос" (nos) ≈ "nose".

The Latin word "naris" ≈ "nostril".
The Latin word "nasus" ≈ "nose" which is the origin of the English word "nauseate".
The Spanish word "la nariz" ≈ "nose".
The Portuguese word "o nariz" ≈ "nose".

The Sanskrit word "नासा" (nasa) ≈ "nostrils".
The Hindi word "नाक" (naak) ≈ "nose".

The English word "snout", as in a nose, and the English word "snot" are related. If you say, "That's snot right" you should check it out.

Numbers 11:20

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KJV: But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?

Hebrew: עד חדש ימים עד אשר יצא מאפכם והיה לכם לזרא יען כי מאסתם את יהוה אשר בקרבכם ותבכו לפניו לאמר למה זה יצאנו ממצרים׃

Greek: εως μηνος ημερων φαγεσθε εως αν εξελθη εκ των μυκτηρων υμων και εσται υμιν εις χολεραν οτι ηπειθησατε κυριω ος εστιν εν υμιν και εκλαυσατε εναντιον αυτου λεγοντες ινα τι ημιν εξελθειν εξ αιγυπτου

Latin: sed usque ad mensem dierum donec exeat per nares vestras et vertatur in nausiam eo quod reppuleritis Dominum qui in medio vestri est et fleveritis coram eo dicentes quare egressi sumus ex Aegypto

Wycliffe: but`til to a monethe of daies, til it go out bi youre nosethirlis, and turne in to wlatyng; for ye han put awei the Lord, which is in the myddis of you, and ye wepten bifor hym, and seiden, Whi yeden we out of Egipt?

Luther: sondern einen Monden lang, bis daß es euch zur Nase ausgehe, und euch ein Ekel sei, darum daß ihr den Herrn verworfen habt, der unter euch ist, und vor ihm geweinet und gesagt: Warum sind wir aus Ägypten gegangen?

Spanish: sino hasta un mes de tiempo, hasta que os salga por las narices, y os sea en aborrecimiento: por cuanto menospreciasteis a Jehová que está en medio de vosotros, y llorasteis delante deÉl, diciendo: ¿Para qué salimos acá de Egipto?

Portuguese: mas durante um mês até que vos saia pelas narinas e vos enfastie. Ultrajastes o SENHOR que está no meio de vós e chorastes diante dele, dizendo: 'Porque saímos nós do Egipto? '»

*H639 אַף (af) : from H599; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire:--anger(-gry), + before, countenance, face, + forebearing, forehead, + (long-)suffering, nose, nostril, snout, X worthy, wrath.

Job 41:2

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KJV: Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?

Hebrew: התשים אגמון באפו ובחוח תקוב לחיו׃

Greek: ει δησεις κρικον εν τω μυκτηρι αυτου ψελιω δε τρυπησεις το χειλος αυτου

Latin: numquid pones circulum in naribus eius et armilla perforabis maxillam eius

Luther: Kannst du ihm eine Angel in die Nase legen und mit einem Stachel ihm die Backen durchbohren?

Spanish: ¿Pondrás tú garfio en sus narices, y horadarás con espina su quijada?

Job 41:20

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KJV: Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.

Hebrew: מנחיריו יצא עשן כדוד נפוח ואגמן׃

Greek: εκ μυκτηρων αυτου εκπορευεται καπνος καμινου καιομενης πυρι ανθρακων

*H5156 נְחִיר (nekh-eer') : from the same as H5170; a nostril:--(dual) nostrils.

Proverbs 30:33

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KJV: Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

Hebrew: כי מיץ חלב יוציא חמאה ומיץ אף יוציא דם ומיץ אפים יוציא ריב׃

Greek: αμελγε γαλα και εσται βουτυρον εαν δε εκπιεζης μυκτηρας εξελευσεται αιμα εαν δε εξελκης λογους εξελευσονται κρισεις και μαχαι

Latin: qui autem fortiter premit ubera ad eliciendum lac exprimit butyrum et qui vehementer emungitur elicit sanguinem et qui provocat iras producit discordias

Luther: Wenn man Milch stößt, so macht man Butter draus; und wer die Nase hart schneuzet, zwingt Blut heraus; und wer den Zorn reizet, zwingt Hader heraus.

Slavonic: Мельзи млеко, и будет масло. Аще ли ноздри чешеши, изыдет кровь: аще же извлечеши словеса, изыдут судове и тяжбы.

Russian: потому что, как сбивание молока производит масло, толчок в нос производит кровь, так и возбуждение гнева производит ссору.

Spanish: Ciertamente el que bate la leche, sacará mantequilla; y el que recio se suena la nariz, sacará sangre; y el que provoca la ira, causará contienda.

Portuguese: porque quem bate o leite, tira dele a manteiga, quem aperta o nariz, faz jorrar sangue, quem provoca a ira, causa discórdias.

Song of Solomon 7:4

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KJV: Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.

Hebrew: צוארך כמגדל השן עיניך ברכות בחשבון על שער בת רבים אפך כמגדל הלבנון צופה פני דמשק׃

Greek: τραχηλος σου ως πυργος ελεφαντινος οφθαλμοι σου ως λιμναι εν εσεβων εν πυλαις θυγατρος πολλων μυκτηρ σου ως πυργος του λιβανου σκοπευων προσωπον δαμασκου

Latin: collum tuum sicut turris eburnea oculi tui sicut piscinae in Esebon quae sunt in porta filiae multitudinis nasus tuus sicut turris Libani quae respicit contra Damascum

Wycliffe: Thi necke is as a tour of yuer; thin iyen ben as cisternes in Esebon, that ben in the yate of the douyter of multitude; thi nose is as the tour of Liban, that biholdith ayens Damask.

Luther: Dein Hals ist wie ein elfenbeinerner Turm. Deine Augen sind wie die Teiche zu Hesbon, am Tor Bathrabbim. Deine Nase ist wie der Turm auf Libanon, der gegen Damaskus siehet.

Spanish: Tu cuello, como torre de marfil; tus ojos, como los estanques de Hesbón junto a la puerta de Bat-rabim; tu nariz, como la torre del Líbano, que mira hacia Damasco.

Ezekiel 16:12

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KJV: And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.

Hebrew: ואתן נזם על אפך ועגילים על אזניך ועטרת תפארת בראשך׃

Greek: και εδωκα ενωτιον περι τον μυκτηρα σου και τροχισκους επι τα ωτα σου και στεφανον καυχησεως επι την κεφαλην σου

Ezekiel 23:25

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KJV: And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire.

Hebrew: ונתתי קנאתי בך ועשו אותך בחמה אפך ואזניך יסירו ואחריתך בחרב תפול המה בניך ובנותיך יקחו ואחריתך תאכל באש׃

Greek: και δωσω τον ζηλον μου εν σοι και ποιησουσιν μετα σου εν οργη θυμου μυκτηρα σου και ωτα σου αφελουσιν και τους καταλοιπους σου εν ρομφαια καταβαλουσιν αυτοι υιους σου και θυγατερας σου λημψονται και τους καταλοιπους σου πυρ καταφαγεται

Here are some other verses using both words or both words in verses that are near to each other.

Psalms 35:16

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KJV: With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

Hebrew: בחנפי לעגי מעוג חרק עלי שנימו׃

Greek: επειρασαν με εξεμυκτηρισαν με μυκτηρισμον εβρυξαν επ εμε τους οδοντας αυτων

2 Kings 19:21

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KJV: This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.

Hebrew: זה הדבר אשר דבר יהוה עליו בזה לך לעגה לך בתולת בת ציון אחריך ראש הניעה בת ירושלם׃

Greek: ουτος ο λογος ον ελαλησεν κυριος επ αυτον εξουδενησεν σε και εμυκτηρισεν σε παρθενος θυγατηρ σιων επι σοι κεφαλην αυτης εκινησεν θυγατηρ ιερουσαλημ

2 Kings 19:28

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KJV: Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

Hebrew: יען התרגזך אלי ושאננך עלה באזני ושמתי חחי באפך ומתגי בשפתיך והשבתיך בדרך אשר באת בה׃

Greek: δια το οργισθηναι σε επ εμε και το στρηνος σου ανεβη εν τοις ωσιν μου και θησω τα αγκιστρα μου εν τοις μυκτηρσιν σου και χαλινον εν τοις χειλεσιν σου και αποστρεψω σε εν τη οδω η ηλθες εν αυτη

Here are some other interesting verses.

Proverbs 15:20

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KJV: A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Hebrew: בן חכם ישמח אב וכסיל אדם בוזה אמו׃

Greek: υιος σοφος ευφραινει πατερα υιος δε αφρων μυκτηριζει μητερα αυτου

Latin: filius sapiens laetificat patrem et stultus homo despicit matrem suam

Wycliffe: A wise sone makith glad the fadir; and a fonned man dispisith his modir.

Luther: Ein weiser Sohn erfreuet den Vater; und ein närrischer Mensch ist seiner Mutter Schande.

The Latin word "stultus" ≈ "foolish, stupid".

For more on "father" see The Father and Abba.

Proverbs 23:9

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KJV: Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Hebrew: באזני כסיל אל תדבר כי יבוז לשכל מליך׃

Greek: εις ωτα αφρονος μηδεν λεγε μηποτε μυκτηριση τους συνετους λογους σου

Latin: in auribus insipientium ne loquaris quia despicient doctrinam eloquii tui

Wycliffe: Speke thou not in the eeris of vnwise men; for thei schulen dispise the teching of thi speche.

The modern Greek word "μύτη" (MEE-tee) ≈ "nose" is from the ancient Greek word "μύτις" ≈ "snout" which displaced the earlier the ancient Greek word "ῥίς" ≈ "nose" which is the source of English words starting with "rhino" (medical, animal, etc.).

A possible "unicorn", an animal with one horn, is the one-horned Indian rhinoceros. The English word "rhino" is short for the English word "rhinoceros" and is from the Latin word "rhinoceros" ≈ "rhinoceros" and is from The ancient Greek word "ῥῑνόκερως" ≈ "rhinoceros".

The ancient Greek word "ῥῑνόκερως" ≈ "rhinoceros" and is from two Greek words.

The ancient Greek word "ῥις" ≈ "nose". See To mock a mocking mock (this page).
The ancient Greek word "ῥινός" ≈ "of the nose".
The ancient Greek word "κέρας" ≈ "horn". See Horns and trumpets and tubas.

More: Unicorns

In Job we have the older Greek word for "nose" used for "nostrils".

Job 27:3

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KJV: All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;

Hebrew: כי כל עוד נשמתי בי ורוח אלוה באפי׃

Greek: η μην ετι της πνοης μου ενουσης πνευμα δε θειον το περιον μοι εν ρισιν

Latin: quia donec superest halitus in me et spiritus Dei in naribus meis

Wycliffe: For as long as breeth is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nose thirlis,

Luther: solange mein Odem in mir ist, und das Schnauben von Gott in meiner Nase ist:

Slavonic: дондеже еще дыхание мое есть и дух Божий сущий в ноздрех моих,

Russian: что, доколе еще дыхание мое во мне и дух Божий в ноздрях моих,

Spanish: Que todo el tiempo que mi alma esté en mí, y haya hálito de Dios en mis narices,

Portuguese: Enquanto em mim houver um sopro de vida e Deus me conservar a respiração,

The Latin word "halitus" ≈ "breath, exaltation" which is the beginning of the English word "halitosis" (Joseph Howe, 1874) with the ending from the modern Greek word "νόσος" (NO-sos) ≈ "disease".

There are many more uses of this word for "breath" in Job. (omitted)

More: A big breath from a wind bag

The English word "moustache" (or mustache), from the 1500's, through French and Italian, from the middle Greek word "μουστάκιον" ≈ "moustache" as a diminuative of the ancient Greek word "μύσταξ" ≈ "upper lip". The English word "moustache" replaced the earlier English word "kemp", as in "unkempt" as "uncombed" or "disheveled", from the German word "ungekämmt" ≈ "unkempt".

2 Samuel 19:24

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KJV: And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.

Hebrew: ומפבשת בן שאול ירד לקראת המלך ולא עשה רגליו ולא עשה שפמו ואת בגדיו לא כבס למן היום לכת המלך עד היום אשר בא בשלום׃

Greek: και μεμφιβοσθε υιος ιωναθαν υιου σαουλ κατεβη εις απαντην του βασιλεως και ουκ εθεραπευσεν τους ποδας αυτου ουδε ωνυχισατο ουδε εποιησεν τον μυστακα αυτου και τα ιματια αυτου ουκ επλυνεν απο της ημερας ης απηλθεν ο βασιλευς εως της ημερας ης αυτος παρεγενετο εν ειρηνη

Latin: Mifiboseth quoque filius Saul descendit in occursum regis inlotis pedibus et intonsa barba vestesque suas non laverat a die qua egressus fuerat rex usque ad diem reversionis eius in pace

Wycliffe: Also Myphibosech, sone of Jonathas, sone of Saul, cam doun with vnwaischun feet, and with berd vnclippid, in to the comyng of the kyng. And Mysphibosech hadde not waische hise clothis, fro the dai in which the kyng yede out of Jerusalem til to the dai of his turnyng ayen in pees.

Luther: Mephiboseth, der Sohn Sauls, kam auch herab dem Könige entgegen. Und er hatte seine Füße noch seinen Bart nicht gereiniget und seine Kleider nicht gewaschen von dem Tage an, da der König weggegangen war, bis an den Tag, da er mit Frieden kam.

Spanish: También Mefiboset hijo de Saúl descendió a recibir al rey; no había lavado sus pies, ni había cortado su barba, ni tampoco había lavado sus vestiduras, desde el día que el rey salió hasta el día que vino en paz.

*H8222 שָׂפָם (saw-fawm') : from H8193; the beard (as a lip-piece):--beard, (upper) lip.

Zechariah 4:12

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KJV: And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

Hebrew: ואען שנית ואמר אליו מה שתי שבלי הזיתים אשר ביד שני צנתרות הזהב המריקים מעליהם הזהב׃

Greek: και επηρωτησα εκ δευτερου και ειπα προς αυτον τι οι δυο κλαδοι των ελαιων οι εν ταις χερσιν των δυο μυξωτηρων των χρυσων των επιχεοντων και επαναγοντων τας επαρυστριδας τας χρυσας