numbnuts

Archived Topic · Post by **Archived Topic** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 1:13 pm

After a lengthy discussion at the office and several searches on the web, we began wondering how and when the term numbnuts came into existence. Does anyone have any insight?

Thanks,
Denis, USA

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 1:27 pm

Now Denis, don't be modest,not everyone has a claim to fame.
Besides, she's sorry she called you that.

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 1:41 pm

Does no one have a serious response?

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 1:56 pm

Have you considered a transplant?

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 2:10 pm

Look at the bright side, it's only a little surgery to be a transexual.

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 2:25 pm

Finally, a serious response! Thanks for your help!

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 2:39 pm

(-) did you have to bust his nuts?

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 2:53 pm

while you're under the knife get a lobotomy to raise your intelligence.

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:08 pm

while you're under the knife get a lobotomy to raise your intelligence.

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:22 pm

and make certain the brain certain is a proctologist.

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:37 pm

What a helpful site.

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 3:51 pm

Dennis, I think this question didn’t get no respect because many people think things are sometimes what they seem (and often they are!) – kind of like asking the origin of numbskull or dimwit. But I guess there is the outside possibility that it derived from benumbed crazy people or some oblique reference to salted and unsalted. In any case, we should check for when it first came into print. My personal view is that it was coined by the guy who invented the bicycle when he got into a tiff upon returning from his first long ride.
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Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang

NUMBNUTS noun [1940s and still in use] (US) an idiot, a fool (cf. DUMBNUTS; NUMBHEAD; NUMBY) Standard English ‘numb’ + NUTS]

NUTS noun [mid 19th century and still in use] the testicles
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Dictionary of American Slang

NUMB-NUTS by 1960s 1. noun: A despicable person; =JERK, LIMP-DICK: ‘You gotta get a better job, numb-nuts’—George V. Higgins 2. modifier: ‘. . . not the numbnuts chatter cornballs like bob Hope or Yellowman peddle’—Village Voice
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Ken Greenwald (Fort Collins, Colorado – U.S.A.)
7/3/02

Reply from Ken Greenwald (Fort Collins, CO - U.S.A.)

Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 4:05 pm

Thanks, Ken!

Denis

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 4:20 pm

An orchidectomy helped Greenwald.

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Archived Reply · Post by **Archived Reply** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 4:34 pm

That seems to be more flowering than deflowering

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