Sophomore
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Sophomore is a term used to describe a second effort, instance, or release. Its most common usage is in the United States as a noun meaning a student in the second year of study (generally referring to high school or university study). The word is also used as an adjective for the second album released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a professional athlete. In the United States, the 10th grade is usually the second year of a student's high school period and is referred to as sophomore year. High school sophomores are expected to begin preparing for the college application process, including reducing and focusing their extracurricular activities.[1] Most students reach the age of 16 while sophomores, and so the year is considered a watermark for independence, closely connected with the acquisition of a driver's license in most states. Whereas it was once primarily taken by students in the 11th grade, the PSAT, a college preparatory exam taken across the U.S., is now most commonly taken during a student's sophomore year. Students at this level are also considered to be developing greater ability for abstract thinking.[2]
In the U.S., colleges generally require students to declare an academic major by the end of their sophomore year.[3] College sophomores are advised to begin thinking about career options and to get involved in volunteering or social organizations on or near campus.[4]
In the United Kingdom, the equivalent term is simply "second-year student".
In American slang, sophomores may be known as "sophisticated morons", a corruption using "soph" and "mor(e)".
The true etymology is from the Old French, "Sophime" or Latin "Sophisme", meaning wisdom, which in turn came from the Greek words "Sophos" ("wise") and "Moros" ("fool"). The English converted it to "sophume", and one who practiced wisdom was a "Sophumer". It wasn't until 1726 that the spelling was established in America as "Sophomore."
References
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msophomore.html
http://www.alphadictionary.com/goodword/word/sophomore
See also
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