Boneheads

/ˈboʊnhedz/ noun

Definition

Plural of bonehead; stupid or stubborn people.

Etymology

Regular English pluralization of 'bonehead,' formed by adding '-s' to the singular noun. Bonehead as slang became established enough to be pluralized as a standard count noun.

Kelly Says

By the mid-1900s, 'boneheads' was casual American vernacular—you could insult multiple people at once in a way that sounded more colorful than just calling them 'idiots,' which is why this slang outlasted similar insults.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Insult historically applied to men more in public discourse, but gendered insults (whether 'bonehead' or equivalents) reinforce stereotype that intelligence is gendered.

Inclusive Usage

Avoid as descriptor of people; use specific behavioral or epistemic critique instead ('poor reasoning' vs. 'bonehead decision').

Inclusive Alternatives

["poor reasoning","careless error","knowledge gap"]

Related Words

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