Definition of the word demerit

The word "demerit" originated in the mid-19th century in the United States as a term used in railway transportation. It referred to a deduction of points from a conductor's or engineer's record of service due to a lapse in safety or professional conduct. The term was derived from the French word "démeriter," which translates to "to disqualify" or "to corrupt." The idea behind the word was to signal that a lack of performance or improper behavior in one area could have a detrimental impact on overall performance or reputation. In educational settings, demerits are still sometimes used as a way to track and penalize undesirable behaviors or academic misconduct.