Ninnyhammer

A ninnyhammer is a foolish or silly person; a simpleton. It often implies a lack of common sense, intelligence, or understanding. This term suggests someone who is easily duped or manipulated due to their naivete or gullibility. The word carries a somewhat archaic and playful tone, often used to describe someone's harmless incompetence or foolishness rather than outright malice. The term is used in a joking or slightly condescending manner, highlighting the subject's apparent lack of wit. It's the equivalent of calling someone a dimwit or a simpleton.

Ninnyhammer meaning with examples

• After he invested all his savings in a get-rich-quick scheme that proved to be a scam, the family called him a ninnyhammer. They found his naivete both frustrating and a source of gentle amusement.
• Despite being warned about the dangers of walking alone at night, the young man went out anyway. The next day, his friends playfully called him a ninnyhammer when he recounted his scary encounter.
• The children giggled at their friend's clumsy attempt at a magic trick, calling him a ninnyhammer when he ended up dropping all of the props on the floor, but then helped him clean it up.
• The seasoned detective smirked at the criminal's transparent lies, privately labeling him a ninnyhammer for believing he could get away with such an obvious deception.