different between foolish vs ninnyhammer

English

Etymology

From Middle English folisch; equivalent to fool +? -ish.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?fu?.l??/

Adjective

foolish (comparative foolisher or more foolish, superlative foolishest or most foolish)

1. (of a person, an action, etc.) Lacking good sense or judgement; unwise.
2. Resembling or characteristic of a fool.

Synonyms

• absurd
• idiotic
• ridiculous
• silly
• unwise

Antonyms

• wise

Derived terms

• a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds
• foolishly
• foolishness

Translations

English

Noun

ninnyhammer (plural ninnyhammers)

1. a foolish person; a simpleton
   • 1608, A Yorkshire Tragedy, dubiously claimed to be by William Shakespeare

     Why, the more fool she; aye, the more ninny hammer she.

   • 1836 Joanna Baillie, Enthusiasm, Act 2

     'Silly noodle!—foolish simpleton!—bewildered ninnyhammer! He had brains in his head once.'

   • 1955, J. R. R. Tolkien, The Return of the King

     'Well, if I don't deserve to be hung on the end of one as a warning to numbskulls! You're nowt but a ninnyhammer, Sam Gamgee: that's what the Gaffer said to me often enough, it being a word of his. Rope!'

Synonyms

• ninny
• nincompoop
• boob