mutton-head

A farmer shakes his head at the mutton-head who can't find the gate.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A foolish or stupid person: "mutton-head" is an informal, derogatory term used to describe someone perceived as lacking intelligence or common sense. The word combines "mutton" (sheep meat, often associated with sheep as dull animals) and "head," implying a person with a sheep-like, dim-witted mind.

Usage Examples

• (A direct insult calling someone foolish for not preparing properly.)
• (Describing someone as persistently stupid in a specific area.)

Advanced Usage

• "to act like a mutton-head": to behave in a particularly foolish or thoughtless manner.
  • After locking his keys in the car for the third time, he was acting like a real mutton-head. (Behaving in a way that shows a lack of common sense.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mutton-headed (adj): having or showing a lack of intelligence; stupid.
  • That was a mutton-headed decision to invest all your money in that failing company. (A foolish, unwise choice.)

Synonyms

• Blockhead: a stupid person; a term similar in tone and meaning.
• Dunce: a person who is slow at learning; an old-fashioned term for a fool.
• Simpleton: a person lacking in intelligence or common sense.

Related Idioms

• "To have a mutton head": to be stubbornly or notoriously stupid.
  • You have a mutton head if you think that plan will work. (You are foolish to believe something obviously flawed.)

Notes

• This word is considered dated and informal. It is rarely used in modern conversation but may appear in older literature or as a colorful insult. It carries a strong negative connotation and should be used with caution to avoid offense.