[Grammar] The moot question

[angelene001]

On several Polish websites I've found such a sentence. It is used in an opening paragraph in an argumentative essay:

[Ban on smoking in public places]
The moot question is whether it has only positive sides, or if it is a negative trend.

I'm wondering if it is correct.

 

[MikeNewYork]

The use of the word "moot" is problematic because its meaning has evolved over time to a point where the original meaning is somewhat opposite in meaning to its more current use. In the beginning, it meant arguable, debatable, open for discussion. But now it also carries the meaning of no practical significance because it has previously been decided. In your sentence, either meaning is possible.

See more here.

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, we tend to use it in "That's a moot question" or "That's a moot point". It still means debatable or arguable here.