Dummerjan

German

Alternative forms

  • Dummrian

Etymology

Univerbation of dummer +‎ Jan, literally stupid John (16th century). The optionally lengthened vowel as well as the byform above are due to influence of Grobian, Schlendrian (of different formation).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈdʊmɐˌja(ː)n/
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

Dummerjan m (strong, genitive Dummerjans, plural Dummerjane or Dummerjans)

  1. (informal, dated) dunce, idiot
    Synonyms: Dummkopf, Dumpfbacke, Holzkopf, Idiot, Schwachkopf, Schwachmat, Tölpel, Trottel, Vollpfosten, (northern) Dösbaddel, Döskopp, (southern) Depp, Vollkoffer

Declension

Further reading

  • Dummerjan” in Duden online
  • Dummerjan” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache