noodleism

plural noodleisms

1. countableA misguided or foolish act or idea.

   This writer, however, with all his blunders and noodleisms, has picked up some truths, too, we must do him the justice to say: and we hope his countrymen will fructify thereupon.

   1828 May, “Diary for the Month of April”, in The London Magazine, volume 1, number 2, page 272

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   The intolerable humbug of our public writers as to all matters concerning the Philosophy of Nature, founded on observed facts, shall be unflinchingly exposed ; and the niaseries and noodleisms of many so-called philosophers shall be held up to the world for its scorn, contempt, or ridicule, as they may severally deserve.

   1849 January, “Address”, in Zadkiel's magazine, volume 1, number 1

   This proposition was not, like the Resurrection, a noodleism originating from simplicity and honest error, but a deliberate and fraudulent fabrication constructed to play upon the simplicity and ignorance of the multitude.

   1901, P. C. Sense, A Critical and Historical Enquiry Into the Origin of the Third Gospel, page 22

2. uncountableMisguidedness or foolishness.

   Every lad in his teens knows what a simpering noodle a woman can be if she wants his attention or courts his admiration, and he generally starts life by answering the noodle according to her noodleism.

   1995, Marie Mulvey Roberts, Tamae Mizuta, The Oppenents: The Anti-suffragists, page 21

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   You may direct your discourse to him, but he will merely answer you with monosyllables and exclamations; of if he is far gone in noodleism, he will content himself with shrugging his shoulders, or waving his hand, or peradventure he will nod his head in such a solemn and mysterious manner as will impress you with an idea that he is a perfect Solon. It is only after he opens his mouth you discover he is merely a solan goose.

   1845 August 30, “Noodles”, in Hogg's Weekly Instructor, volume 2, number 27, page 1

   Again, all Snivelling hypocrisy in speculation, such as that which, when discoursing of the world's evils, delights to call Man's sin God's providence,—all boisterous noodleism in reform, whose champions would take society on their knee, as a Yankee takes a stick, and whittle it into shape; —to these satire gravitates by a natural law.

   1850, Edwin Percy Whipple, Lectures on Subjects Connected with Literature and Life, page 109