nincompoop

nincompoop
nincompoop (n.) 1670s, nicompoop. Despite similarity [noted by Johnson] to Latin legal phrase NON COMPOS MENTIS (Cf. non compos mentis) "insane, mentally incompetent" (c.1600), the connection is denied by etymologists because the earliest forms lack the second -n-. Weekley thinks first element may be a proper name, and cites Nicodemus, which he says was used in French for "a fool," or Nicholas. Klein says probably an invented word.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:
, , , (colloq.)


Look at other dictionaries:

  • nincompoop — in com*poop, n. [A corruption of non compos.] A fool; a silly or stupid person. [Law] [1913 Webster] An old ninnyhammer, a dotard, a nincompoop, is the best language she can afford me. Addison. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nincompoop — ► NOUN ▪ a stupid person. ORIGIN perhaps from the given name Nicholas, or from the name of the Pharisee Nicodemus, known for his naive questioning of Christ …   English terms dictionary

  • nincompoop — [nin′kəm po͞op΄] n. [< ?] a stupid, silly person; fool …   English World dictionary

  • Nincompoop — Wikipedia does not have an encyclopedia article for Nincompoop (search results). You may want to read Wiktionary s entry on nincompoop instead.wiktionary:Special:Search/nincompoop …   Wikipedia

  • nincompoop — noun A silly or foolish person. No wonder that Chauvelins spies had failed to detect, in the apparently brainless nincompoop, the man whose reckless daring and resourceful ingenuity had baffled the keenest French spies... Syn: dunderhead, fop,… …   Wiktionary

  • nincompoop — noun Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1676 fool, simpleton • nincompoopery noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • nincompoop — nincompoopery, n. nincompoopish, adj. /nin keuhm poohp , ning /, n. a fool or simpleton. [1670 80; orig. uncert.] * * * …   Universalium

  • nincompoop — Synonyms and related words: Boeotian, ass, block, clod, dimwit, dolt, donkey, dope, dullard, dumb cluck, dumbbell, dummy, dunce, gowk, idiot, imbecile, jackass, jerk, jobbernowl, lackwit, lamebrain, lightweight, looby, loon, niais, ninny,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • nincompoop — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. simpleton, chump (see ignorance, credulity). II (Roget s IV) n. Syn. imbecile, simpleton, dope*; see fool 1 . III (Roget s Thesaurus II) noun One deficient in judgment and good sense: ass, fool, idiot …   English dictionary for students

  • nincompoop — nin|com|poop [ˈnıŋkəmpu:p] n old fashioned [Date: 1700 1800; Origin: ninny + nicompoop stupid person (1600 1700)] a stupid person …   Dictionary of contemporary English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”