Plural of cretin: historically, a person with cretinism (a medical condition causing stunted growth and mental disability), now used as an offensive insult for a stupid or contemptible person.
From French 'crétin,' derived from Swiss French dialect variant of 'chrétien' (Christian). The term originally referred to isolated Alpine valley residents suffering from iodine deficiency, with the name having tragic historical stigma.
The word 'cretin' reveals medical history's dark side—it started as a description of a real genetic condition before becoming a cruel slur, and it's a reminder that how we name disabilities matters because names stick in our minds longer than facts.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.