What it means
A numbskull is a proper idiot, the sort of person who does something obviously daft and still stands there acting like they've cracked the code. It's a blunt insult, but usually more jokey than nasty, aimed at someone being thick, slow on the uptake, or spectacularly boneheaded in the moment.
Usage examples
"Which numbskull put the metal tray in the microwave and turned the kitchen into a fireworks display?"
"I felt like a total numbskull when I realised I’d been pushing a door marked pull for a full minute."
"Some numbskull tried to dry his trainers in the microwave and set off the whole flat’s smoke alarm."
"You absolute numbskull, the charger wasn't broken, you hadn't plugged it in."
"Some numbskull parked across both spaces and then looked proud of it."
Where it comes from
It’s an old English insult built from numb and skull. The idea is simple: if your skull is numb, not much is getting through to the brain inside. The word’s been around since at least the 18th century and has long meant a stupid or thick-headed person.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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