So
about these "cretins"...
The term cretin was brought into medical use in the 18th century from an Alpine French dialect where persons with such a condition were especially common (presumably from a lack of iodine in their diet).
It was used widely as a medical term in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but in recent decades has spread more widely in popular English as a markedly derogatory term for a hopelessly stupid person. Because of its pejorative connotations in popular speech, the term has been largely abandoned by physicians.
The etymology of the word cretin is somewhat vague. The most common derivation provided in English dictionaries is from the Latin Christianum (Christian), via a medieval French dialect (compare modern French chretien ).
Not to be confused, obviously, with Cretans, the people of Crete.
I have to admit I never felt Cretan during my stay, but as I was sitting in the airport, I certainly had a long moment of feeling "hopelessly stupid" for leaving.
