Quote:
Originally Posted by tompe
Some dictionaries list as first meaning "1. a man who is a stupid incompetent fool [syn: fathead]".
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I believe that was the original meaning of the word. However, in today's usage it definitely is not the first meaning or the meaning that usually comes to mind.
OTOH, the language of cursing has changed significantly over the years and what was a mild reproach 50 years ago can today be considered a great insult.
One of the columnists in my local newspaper was discussing today how insulting many women found it when Sarah Palin was called a "young lady" by someone 25 years her senior and how Joe Biden was castigated for being condescending when he described Barack Obama as "clean and articulate."
Different strokes for differently offended folk!