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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
It just occurred to me that "ninnyhammer" doesn't make sense. A "ninny" a case of cerebral insufficiency. The "ninnyhammer" ought to refer to the exasperated boss
who has to try to get some work out of him.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
It's in Webster's 1913 Dictionary, so it's been around at least that long. Maybe hammer was added kind of from another language; my husband, of German descent, would sometimes call our babies slobber-hanuses when they drooled. Or maybe it started off as ninny-yammering? That would make more sense than ninnies hammering...
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
And what's wrong with Anu's explanation?
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
I'll hammer you, you ninny!
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 69
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 69 |
I clearly recall that Samwise (who we learned means "half-wise" or maybe half-witted) Gamgee was speaking to himself, saying "You're nowt but a ninnyhammer, Sam Gamgee." I never had any doubt that the term meant "fool". I suspect there is a deeper derivation to it than Anu mentions. If the "ham" means "town" like I suspect, it probably is a derogatory derived from a placename.
Cheers,
Bryan
You are only wretched and unworthy if you choose to be.
Cheers,
Bryan
You are only wretched and unworthy if you choose to be.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Bryan! Oh my goodness, I thought you'd given us up for good! Welcome back, Sweet Thing! :-))
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 130
member
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member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 130 |
Brian sez:
If the "ham" means "town" like I suspect, it probably is a derogatory derived from a placename.
Hmmm... does the term "village idiot" come to mind?
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