angels dancing on the head of a pin

See also: angels-dancing-on-the-head-of-a-pin

English

Etymology

An allusion to the theological question “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” — a question cited to debunk mediaeval angelology in particular and scholasticism in general. Since angels are non-corporeal and do not occupy space, an infinite number of them could be present at a single point in space simultaneously.

Noun

angels dancing on the head of a pin pl (plural only)

(figuratively) The subject of arcane intellectual speculation; used as an example subject of enquiry the pursuit of which is of no value.
- 1965, United States Congress House Government Operations, Procurement of a Cryogenic Cooling System for Fighter Aircraft: Hearing, 89-1, June 8–9, 1965, page 47:
  We are not talking about angels dancing on the head of a pin here.
- 1995, Julian Lincoln Simon, The State of Humanity, page 358:
  …logically indistinguishable from the argument that because we do not know at what rate the angels dancing on the head of a pin are dying off…
- 2001, William C. Gaventa & David L. Coulter, The Theological Voice of Wolf Wolfensberger, page 6:
  The issues Dr. Wolfensberger wrestles with and writes about are not intellectual discussions of angels dancing on the head of a pin.

Translations

arcane intellectual speculation

French: sexe des anges m, le sexe des anges m
Italian: il sesso degli angeli m

Portuguese: sexo dos anjos m, o sexo dos anjos m
Spanish: el sexo de los ángeles m