Was the word “communist” used prior to Marxist/Leninist writings?

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6















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?










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  • 5





    It's Lenin, not Lennon. For crying out loud.

    – michael.hor257k
    Dec 31 '18 at 16:48











  • @michael.hor257k Similarly, it's Marx, not Mark.

    – Ray
    Dec 31 '18 at 22:23











  • Well, at least Spencer got out of this.

    – michael.hor257k
    Dec 31 '18 at 22:27






  • 2





    Coincidentally, Marx and Spencer are buried in the same cemetery in London. ;) Not to be confused with Marks and Spencer...

    – Quuxplusone
    Jan 1 at 1:04















6















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?










share|improve this question



















  • 5





    It's Lenin, not Lennon. For crying out loud.

    – michael.hor257k
    Dec 31 '18 at 16:48











  • @michael.hor257k Similarly, it's Marx, not Mark.

    – Ray
    Dec 31 '18 at 22:23











  • Well, at least Spencer got out of this.

    – michael.hor257k
    Dec 31 '18 at 22:27






  • 2





    Coincidentally, Marx and Spencer are buried in the same cemetery in London. ;) Not to be confused with Marks and Spencer...

    – Quuxplusone
    Jan 1 at 1:04













6












6








6








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?










share|improve this question
















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






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Dec 31 '18 at 16:52









Mitch

51k15103212




51k15103212










asked Dec 31 '18 at 16:23









Linda K. KramerLinda K. Kramer

312




312







  • 5





    It's Lenin, not Lennon. For crying out loud.

    – michael.hor257k
    Dec 31 '18 at 16:48











  • @michael.hor257k Similarly, it's Marx, not Mark.

    – Ray
    Dec 31 '18 at 22:23











  • Well, at least Spencer got out of this.

    – michael.hor257k
    Dec 31 '18 at 22:27






  • 2





    Coincidentally, Marx and Spencer are buried in the same cemetery in London. ;) Not to be confused with Marks and Spencer...

    – Quuxplusone
    Jan 1 at 1:04












  • 5





    It's Lenin, not Lennon. For crying out loud.

    – michael.hor257k
    Dec 31 '18 at 16:48











  • @michael.hor257k Similarly, it's Marx, not Mark.

    – Ray
    Dec 31 '18 at 22:23











  • Well, at least Spencer got out of this.

    – michael.hor257k
    Dec 31 '18 at 22:27






  • 2





    Coincidentally, Marx and Spencer are buried in the same cemetery in London. ;) Not to be confused with Marks and Spencer...

    – Quuxplusone
    Jan 1 at 1:04







5




5





It's Lenin, not Lennon. For crying out loud.

– michael.hor257k
Dec 31 '18 at 16:48





It's Lenin, not Lennon. For crying out loud.

– michael.hor257k
Dec 31 '18 at 16:48













@michael.hor257k Similarly, it's Marx, not Mark.

– Ray
Dec 31 '18 at 22:23





@michael.hor257k Similarly, it's Marx, not Mark.

– Ray
Dec 31 '18 at 22:23













Well, at least Spencer got out of this.

– michael.hor257k
Dec 31 '18 at 22:27





Well, at least Spencer got out of this.

– michael.hor257k
Dec 31 '18 at 22:27




2




2





Coincidentally, Marx and Spencer are buried in the same cemetery in London. ;) Not to be confused with Marks and Spencer...

– Quuxplusone
Jan 1 at 1:04





Coincidentally, Marx and Spencer are buried in the same cemetery in London. ;) Not to be confused with Marks and Spencer...

– Quuxplusone
Jan 1 at 1:04










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

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7














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.






share|improve this answer






























    1














    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).






    share|improve this answer
























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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      7














      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.






      share|improve this answer



























        7














        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.






        share|improve this answer

























          7












          7








          7







          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.






          share|improve this answer













          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.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Dec 31 '18 at 16:46









          LaurelLaurel

          31.6k660112




          31.6k660112























              1














              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).






              share|improve this answer





























                1














                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).






                share|improve this answer



























                  1












                  1








                  1







                  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).






                  share|improve this answer















                  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).







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Dec 31 '18 at 17:48

























                  answered Dec 31 '18 at 16:42









                  lbflbf

                  18.6k21966




                  18.6k21966



























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