Joan from McKinney, Texas, wonders about the origin of the disparaging term knucklehead. It’s a mild insult, and as with blockhead and bonehead, it suggests that someone’s head is so full of blocks, bones, or knuckles that there’s no room for brains. During World War II, the word knucklehead was popularized by a cartoon featuring Cadet RF Knucklehead, known for setting a comically bad example of things pilots shouldn’t do. PS: Thanks to everyone who pointed out that Knucklehead Smiff was a puppet created by ventroloquist Paul Winchell. Grant had no idea! This is part of a complete episode.
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