A dialect or archaic term for a bumbling, stupid, or clumsy person; a dolt or fool.
Likely from Low German 'Dummel' or related Germanic roots meaning 'stupid' or 'dull.' The word is primarily found in English dialect literature and may relate to 'dumb' through Germanic cognates.
English is full of delightfully specific insults from dialect words—'dummel,' 'bumkin,' 'noddy.' These regional terms tell us what each community found most ridiculous in their neighbors!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.