Tuesday, 5 July 2011

`nincompoop’

Pronunciation: The `in’ in the first syllable is like the `ing’ in `ring’, `sing’, and `bring’; the following `o’ is like the `a’ in `china’. The `oo’ in the final syllable is pronounced like the `oo’ in `cool’, `pool’, and `fool’, and the stress is on the first syllable.

Meaning
 The word is mostly used in informal contexts to refer to a foolish person. Some scholars think that the word comes from the Latin `non compos mentis’ meaning `not of sound mind’. 

Examples: *Who is the nincompoop who forgot to put the butter back in the fridge?  *Tell that nincompoop that I want three and not two plates of dosas.

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