English: what does moot mean?

Tutoring English, sources are varied. The tutor mentions a great one for the word moot.

In his song “Jessie’s Girl,” Rick Springfield says

I want to tell her that I love her
But the point is probably moot.

I was asked, “What does moot mean?”

Not knowing how to explain it that moment, I looked it up to show the student, then got a surprise: the first dictionary definition of moot isn’t how I use it.

moot (adj):
1. dubious, arguable

2. unlikely to be of practical consideration

I believe moot is sometimes meant as follows:

moot: obvious, so not needing mention.

From my point of view, in Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl,” the point is probably moot means that people already know he loves Jessie’s girl because she’s so attractive.

“Jessie’s Girl” came out in my early teens. I thought is was okay then, but it’s grown on me:)

Source:

Rick Springfield (“Jessie’s Girl” video)

Mish, Frederick C (editor). The Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Springfield: Merriam-Webster, 2004.

Barber, Katherine et al (editors). Oxford Canadian Dictionary of Current English. Don Mills: Oxford University Press, 2005.

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.

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