Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#118371 12/27/03 01:18 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
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.


#118372 12/27/03 01:42 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
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...


#118373 12/27/03 01:52 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
And what's wrong with Anu's explanation?


#118374 12/27/03 02:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
I'll hammer you, you ninny!


#118375 01/05/04 08:56 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 69
B
journeyman
Offline
journeyman
B
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.
#118376 01/06/04 01:10 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
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! :-))


#118377 01/08/04 02:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 130
S
member
Offline
member
S
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?



Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 442 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5