Knucklehead, definition of
Other than being a word I use a lot, exactly what is a knucklehead? Let me give you a good example. If I had to guess the etymology of the word,…
Other than being a word I use a lot, exactly what is a knucklehead? Let me give you a good example.
If I had to guess the etymology of the word, it probably has to do with the mental state caused when someone is hit in the head with a fist: Knuckles hit head, stupidity results. Years of intense study of the Three Stooges would seem to bear this out. Knuckles (usually Moes) frequently hit heads (Larrys, Curlys or both, usually simultaneously). Stupidity if not already present flowered gloriously. If thats not clear enough evidence, the word itself was used repeatedly in every Stooge film to underscore the message.
But perhaps the best way to define the term is with this True Story that occurred in Real Life.
I happen to like those Irwin Quick-Grip clamps a lot, although the current blue ones arent as good as the original black ones. I especially like the 12" and 6" Quick-Grips, which account for about 75 percent of the clamp use in my shop. A two-pack of the 12" clamps is regularly priced pretty much everywhere at $29.95; the 6" ones are $19.95 a pair, again, pretty much everywhere. I noted in the Big Box store flier in yesterday's paper that they had a bargain pack of Quick-Grip clamps that included a pair of 12"-ers, a pair of 6"-ers, a pair of spring clamps and a pair of ratchet clamps. Price was $24.95 for all eight clamps, a deal I simply couldn't pass up.
On the hook right below this $24.95 bargain was a hook with a bunch of two-packs of the 12" clamps at the regular $29.95 per pair. And I swear Im not making this up as I'm grabbing the bargain pack, another guy selects a two-pack of the 12" clamps. I pointed out to him that the bargain pack I had was 5 bucks cheaper and included both of the clamps he was getting. His response? "Yeah, but I don't need those other clamps, so why pay for what I won't use?"
I thought he was joking and that hed grab the bargain pack once Id pointed it out, but he just headed for the checkout before I could reason with him. The guy in an orange apron who happened to be in that department and overheard the whole thing just looked at me, turned to the guy walking to the checkout, and back to me again, mouth agape.
Knucklehead: Its a good word. Use it often.
Till next time,
A.J.
A.J. Hamler is the former editor of Woodshop News and Woodcraft Magazine. He's currently a freelance woodworking writer/editor, which is another way of stating self-employed. When he's not writing or in the shop, he enjoys science fiction, gourmet cooking and Civil War reenacting, but not at the same time.
