Talk:Dunce cap

spanish inquisition
This article needs information explaining the use of dunce caps in the inquisition and art work from goya. Other information seems to be speculative original research. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.247.77.158 (talk) 02:34, 23 December 2008 (UTC)

apocryphal
This explanation of a dunce cap sounds like baloney to me. I don't know how reliable "Straight Dope" is, especially as the sole citation for this page. They don't have any citations for their stuff either. That the actual cap itself is somehow tied to John Duns Scotus seems unlikely since there is no mention of it in print until the mid 19th century despite the fact that he was first really unpopular in the 16th century. It seems more likely that it was a funny hat, easily made from material found in every classroom (it's just paper) and it was worn by a "dunce" in order to make him/her an object of derision, hence dunce cap. No random story about channeling knowledge or wizards necessary. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.8.121.1 (talk) 18:34, 15 October 2008 (UTC)

Image
The usefulness of the image depicted on the right is indeed questionable. What do you think? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Donwilson (talk • contribs) 13:37, 7 February 2006 (UTC)


 * I agree. The triangle image makes no sense whatsoever. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Gabrill (talk • contribs) 21:35, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

Dunce cap in China
WTF? Such a cap was worn in China? I've been schooled there and they I've never heard of such a thing until I moved to the West. Can someone please explain. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 210.246.2.220 (talk) 03:35, 7 April 2006 (UTC)

???
If the word "DUNCE" means not smart. Then why was it given to kids with bad behavior??? I dont think it was. It was given to slow learners!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.69.22.62 (talk) 13:32, 1 October 2007 (UTC)
 * During my time in school, even though I was a slow learner, either I never had to wear one or they were already phased out by 1978. However I have seen the dunce cap in use.LReyome254 (talk) 18:41, 17 January 2010 (UTC)

Dunce and Dunce hat
This one seemed more comprehensive so I redirected the former too the latter, perhaps "Dunce" would be the better article name though? The information was worded differently but seemed the same as here. 130.88.161.173 18:39, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

The second external link doesn't work —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.50.130.124 (talk) 05:15, 19 January 2008 (UTC)

Relationship to Schultüte and Golden Hat,
Is there any research or other evidence that might suggest that Dunce cap is related to the Schultüte German School hat and perhaps the Golden Hat? Celcom (talk) 08:49, 14 June 2011 (UTC)Celcom

Dunce cap in China
Contrary to the comment above, I've seen photos of dunce's caps being used in China at the start of the revolution, I think on (?Tibetan) monks, as a public humiliation. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable could write about this. 149.241.210.144 (talk) 12:55, 7 November 2012 (UTC)


 * Tibetan lamas do have conical caps, but it has the near opposite meaning of a dunce cap. The Buddha made a rule that monks could not cover their heads.  Since monks shave their heads, covering their heads could be a way of trying to pass as householders.  This worked well in India at the time, since it is fairly warm there. In Tibet, a cold country, however, following this rule simply would not have been practical.  The conical hats for monks provide some protection from the cold, and at the same time are distinct enough that a monk wearing one could not be trying to pass as a householder.  The higher the hat, the greater the ecclesiastical status of the wearer.MovingTree (talk) 16:58, 8 June 2013 (UTC)

Use against Afrikaners
The British used this type of "Dunce Caps" against Afrikaners, when they spoke Afrikaans in school they had to wear such a cap with "dutch donkey" written on them. --154.69.32.77 (talk) 21:31, 26 February 2015 (UTC)