plural of jackass; either male donkeys, or people who are extremely foolish or behave in a rude and annoying way.
Compound of 'jack' (male animal) and 'ass' (donkey, from Latin 'asinus'). Originally literal, then developed as slang for stupid people.
The word 'jack' for male animals gives us 'jackass,' 'jackrabbit,' and 'jack-o'-lantern'—language loves creative combinations, and sometimes the original meaning gets buried under newer insults!
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