thickskull

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From thick +‎ skull.

Noun

[edit]

thickskull (plural thickskulls)

  1. (archaic) A dullard; a blockhead.
    • c. 1828, Thomas Hood, The Three Brothers:
      the dullwitted pair began to think of redeeming their turbans, and in spite of the entreaties of Agib, being very obstinate, as such thickskulls usually are, they went forth on that errand.
    • 1859, William Swinton, Rambles Among Words: Their Poetry, History and Wisdom:
      And how often do we hear persons stigmatized as 'numskulls' and 'thickskulls' and 'blockheads' — though why they should be block-heads, I know not []