Search
Select the dictionary language
Egghead
01
an intellectual or highly educated person, mocked as impractical or out of touch
Dialect
American
Offensive
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Human
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
eggheads
What is the origin of the term "egghead" and how is it used?
"Egghead" is an American slang term that appeared in the 1920s–1930s, originally used to describe highly educated or intellectual people, drawing on the metaphor of a smooth, egg-shaped head suggesting bookishness or being all brain. It became widely popular during the 1950s, particularly in political contexts, when critics used it to mock experts or academics as impractical, elitist, or out of touch with everyday life. The term is mildly derogatory but can also be used humorously or affectionately; it is rarely neutral but rarely deeply offensive.
Examples
The egghead professor could n't change a tire to save his life.
Lexical Tree
egghead
egg
head



























