We use the term trivial in a dismissive way. But what does it actually mean?

[Xipe Totec]

I'll let you ponder that.

Why is something trivial, trivial?

[rurallib]

1. tri via is latin for three roads

how's that for trivia?

[Xipe Totec]

2. Which three? Are there more?

[jberryhill]

3. They all go the same place

So the difference is trivial

[rurallib]

4. I do not know - all the latin I can remember is that try is 3 and via is way or road

that is as deep as I get.

[Xipe Totec]

5. Grammar, rhetoric, and Logic

There are the three basic ways to knowledge:

Grammar,
Rhetoric,
Logic

Any problem that can be solved using only these three ways to knowledge are called trivial problems.

There were four more ways to knowledge available to the ancients.

What were they?

[cyclonefence]

7. Here you go

The quadrivium (plural: quadrivia) is the four subjects, or arts, taught after teaching the trivium. ... The quadrivium consisted of arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. These followed the preparatory work of the trivium, consisting of grammar, logic, and rhetoric.

[Xipe Totec]

8. Xactly! nt

[bobbieinok]

6. Bit OT--in German, pop lit is Trivialliteratur. Really, any lit that is not 'serious' lit