- Today's Word
Egghead
[EG-hed]
Definition
- (noun) A slang term for an intellectual or a highly educated person, especially one who is perceived as overly academic, impractical, or out of touch with ordinary people. It can be used affectionately or pejoratively, depending on the context.
Example
Despite his reputation as an egghead, the professor was surprisingly adept at explaining complex theories in a way that everyone could understand.
Fun Fact
The term “egghead” emerged in the United States in the 1920s, possibly because the shape of a bald head resembles an egg. It gained widespread use during the 1952 presidential campaign when it was used to describe Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson, known for his intellectual demeanor. Interestingly, Stevenson embraced the term, joking that “eggheads of the world, unite; you have nothing to lose but your yolks.” This incident helped popularize the term and cemented its association with intellectuals in American political and cultural discourse.
(verb) To coax or persuade someone into doing something through flattery, soft words, or gentle persistent manipulation.
She had wheedled the extension out of her professor so smoothly that he’d agreed before he realized he’d been asked — which was precisely the point.