saphead

[sap-hed]

noun

Slang.

1. a simpleton; fool.

saphead

¹

/ ˈsæpˌhɛd /

noun

1. slang,  a simpleton, idiot, or fool

saphead

²

/ ˈsæpˌhɛd /

noun

1. military the end of a sap nearest to the enemy

Other Word Forms

• sapheaded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of saphead¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; sap ¹ + head

Example Sentences

But Mr. Kellow is no saphead, and he makes objectivity a great virtue.

From New York Times

I bet I know what that saphead of an editor had to say without reading his letter.

From Project Gutenberg

My seat was next to Mrs. Martin for safe keeping, while grey eyes sat across from me and talked to an aggressive looking saphead in a watered silk waistcoat.

From Project Gutenberg

“Lower a boat, saphead, in a sea like this!” scoffed the first speaker.

From Project Gutenberg

He shook his head and cried vehemently: “What a saphead I’d be if I fell to that bait!”

From Project Gutenberg