Dunce Upon a Time

November 06, 2012

National Dunce Day is upon us, and though the origin of this observance is unknown, the dunce cap itself has an interesting history. Dunce Day recognizes medieval scholar Duns Scotus, who thought that wearing a cone-shaped hat aided in learning. Duns Scotus, who hailed from Duns, Scotland, died November 8, 1308, hence the yearly observance of Dunce Day on November 8th. He came up with the idea for the conical hat that would become known as the dunce cap. The idea was that knowledge would travel through the point at the top of the hat and down into the head of the person wearing it. In time, people who wore the hats were perceived negatively, as incapable of learning or disruptive.

Sandra P
Blue Springs North Branch