Momus

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A figure from Greek mythology known for mocking the gods and criticizing their creations ; a person who habitually finds fault or expresses harsh judgment toward others ; an embodiment of sarcasm and censure in literature or conversation
2. A mythological character symbolizing blame and ridicule directed at divine beings ; an individual inclined to satirize or condemn aspects of life or society persistently ; a literary archetype representing scornful and critical attitudes
3. In ancient stories, a god-like entity who mocked and disparaged gods' works ; a chronic faultfinder or cynic who points out flaws in people or things ; a symbol of derision and critical commentary in cultural expressions

Etymology: Momus was the Greek god of mockery, blame and satire, a figure who spent his days finding fault with gods and men alike. The Greeks gave him a name that sounds like the very thing he embodied: Μῶμος (Mômos) is related to μομφή (momphḗ), meaning "blame" or "reproach." In the myths he is the son of Nyx, the night, and his cutting wit was said to have displeased even Zeus and Aphrodite, whom he criticised for their handiwork. The English word took its place in the language through the classical tradition, where Momus appears as a personification of censure and sharp criticism. Because the name was already a ready label for a carping critic, writers borrowed it freely, and it has stayed in use for a fault-finder or a mocking spirit ever since. The surviving sources show the figure chiefly as a god of wit that turned into spite.