Dead from the Neck Up
💀 Definition: Extremely stupid. This slangy metaphor paints an ever-fascinating, albeit unflattering, picture of someone who is profoundly lacking in intellectual prowess.
🧠 First Recorded Use: 1911. Jumped into popular culture and literature, highlighted by John Dos Passos in Forty-second Parallel (1930): “Most of the inhabitants are dead from the neck up.”
Related and Similar Terms
- Not the sharpest tool in the shed: Another humorous way to describe someone lacking in smarts. If brains were tools, well, this person seems to be missing a few wrenches.
- Dim-witted: So dull they make a butter knife look edgy.
- Not playing with a full deck: Suggesting a few cards short of a deck, theorizing their cognitive dealings might be a bit limited.
- Lights are on, but nobody’s home: An alarming metaphor for saying that someone’s mental faculties might have taken a leave of absence.
Proverbs and Sayings
- “He has an empty attic”: House (head) with lots of space (brain) left for improvement.
- “Brains aren’t everything. In fact in your case they’re nothing.” - Fanny Brice.
Synonyms
- Thick-headed
- Dull
- Asinine
- Foolish
Antonyms
- Sharp
- Smart
- Intelligent
- Clever
Humor-filled Quotes
- “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” - Groucho Marx (Because when you’re dead from the neck up, you might need a little extra light!)
Inspirations
- Literature: Reading books like Forrest Gump by Winston Groom, elevating the idea that anyone can achieve greatness, kicker “Stupid is as stupid does.”
- Movies: Dumb and Dumber showcases comedic spin on two characters “‘dead from the neck up’” achieving outrageously silly success.
- Songs: If I Only Had a Brain from The Wizard of Oz sums ups a whimsical hope for intellect.
### Which phrase means the same as "dead from the neck up"?
- [x] Not the sharpest tool in the shed
- [ ] Brains over brawn
- [ ] Surfing the cosmic waves
- [ ] Flying like a fish
> **Explanation:** “Not the sharpest tool in the shed” humorously suggests someone isn't very smart, just like "dead from the neck up".
### Which could describe someone "dead from the neck up"?
- [x] Dim-witted
- [ ] Overachiever
- [ ] Bright spark
- [ ] Bookworm
> **Explanation:** If someone is dim-witted, they might be perceived as being "dead from the neck up."
### True or False: Being "dead from the neck up" is a compliment
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. This idiom is definitely not a compliment; it's a humorous but critical assessment of someone's intelligence (or lack therein).
Until next time, remember, life’s too short to take everything seriously. Keep laughing and learning. Or as Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Happy reading!
Sincerely, C. Cleverly
