nitwit
English
Etymology
First attested in the 1910s in the US Northeast. Likely from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] German nit, dialectal form of nichts (“nothing”), or (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Yiddish ניט (nit), dialectal form of נישט (nisht, “no”), although some dictionaries give the alternative etymology nit (“louse egg; something very small”) + wit.
Pronunciation
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Noun
nitwit (plural nitwits)
- (informal) A scatterbrained or stupid person.
- 1918, State Bar Association of Connecticut, Annual Report, page 82
- If you don't remember you are a nitwit. If you do answer, well you know what the penalty is for perjury.
- 1921, Emmett Campbell Hall, "Need a Hero be a Nitwit?", The Editor, page 58
- 1922, Nina Wilcox Putnam, Laughter Inc:
- "Don't be a nitwit, honey!" says Adele. "Here, let me open the door! Ma be I did leave them lights on, though it ain't ike me!"
- 1918, State Bar Association of Connecticut, Annual Report, page 82
Synonyms
- See also Thesaurus:fool
Translations
scatterbrained or stupid person
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