"Triviality truism" is a compound word that can be tricky to spell. The first half, "triviality," is spelled with the letters t-r-i-v-i-a-l-i-t-y, and is pronounced /trɪviˈælɪti/. The second half, "truism," is spelled with the letters t-r-u-i-s-m, and is pronounced /truːɪz(ə)m/. A truism is a truth that is self-evident or obvious, while triviality refers to something that is unimportant or insignificant. Together, "triviality truism" implies a statement that is both obvious and unimportant.
Triviality truism refers to a phrase, statement, or belief that is widely accepted as true, often due to its simplicity or obviousness, despite lacking significant meaning, depth, or value. A triviality truism can be described as a self-evident claim that is commonly acknowledged without any profound or insightful interpretation.
The term "triviality" denotes something unimportant, insignificant, or trivial, while "truism" refers to an obviously true statement. Therefore, a triviality truism is a combination of these two concepts, representing a statement that is readily accepted as true but offers little to no substance or substantive insight.
Triviality truisms often possess generalizations or axioms that are widely known or easily deduced. They tend to state facts or observations that many individuals would consider obvious or common knowledge. As a result, they lack originality or uniqueness, merely repeating ideas that are already well-established or universally recognized.
These types of statements are often used colloquially, in everyday conversation, or even as clichés. Examples of triviality truisms include phrases such as "the early bird catches the worm," "actions speak louder than words," or "what goes around, comes around." While these statements hold a level of truth, they offer little intellectual depth or analytical value, and are therefore labeled as triviality truisms.
The etymology of the word "triviality truism" can be understood by examining the origins of its constituent parts:
1. Triviality: The word "triviality" comes from the Latin "trivialis", which was formed by combining "tri-" meaning "three" with "via" meaning "road" or "street". In ancient Rome, marketplaces were often located at the intersection of three roads, and discussions at such intersections were considered to be of little importance or significance. Over time, "trivialis" came to mean something commonplace, insignificant, or unimportant.
2. Truism: The word "truism" is derived from the Latin "verus", meaning "true". It entered the English language in the late 18th century and refers to a statement that is undeniably true or self-evident.