Nincompoop

[bleppo]

From Mr. Quinion's newsletter, as usual...

Weird Words: Nincompoop
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A foolish or stupid person.

It's a silly-sounding word for a silly sort of person.

Many writers have tried hard to find an origin for it, though most
dictionaries play safe and list it as "origin unknown". The good Dr

Comments

[petrusplancius]

In 19th Century slang there was 'nincomnoodle' which I rather like.

[brassdaughter]

Really? Wonderful, that. I may have to start using it.