Nimrod

[NIM-rod]

Definition

  1. (noun) A word used sarcastically to refer to a foolish or stupid person. However, this usage is a misinterpretation of the word’s original meaning.

Example

After Dave accidentally locked his keys in the car for the third time this week, his friend jokingly called him a nimrod.

Fun Fact

The term “Nimrod” originally referred to a mighty hunter in the Bible, described as “a mighty hunter before the Lord.” However, its current slang usage as an insult is believed to have originated from a Bugs Bunny cartoon. In it, Bugs sarcastically called Elmer Fudd, the incompetent hunter, “nimrod,” referencing the biblical hunter. Many viewers, unfamiliar with the biblical reference, assumed it was a general insult meaning “idiot.” This misunderstanding spread, leading to the word’s current slang usage. It’s a fascinating example of how popular culture can dramatically change the meaning of a word.

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