egghead
UK[ˈɛɡhɛd]US[ˈɛɡhɛd]
n
A person who is highly intellectual or studious, often perceived as overly concerned with academic knowledge and lacking in practical experience or common sense.
Morpheme Breakdown
egg
head
egg
egg.
head
head, top, chief.
Etymology
The word "egghead" is a modern American English compound, first recorded in the early 20th century. It is a metaphorical term, comparing an intellectual's bald or high-domed head to the smooth, oval shape of an egg. This visual metaphor was popularized in the 1950s to disparage intellectuals, particularly those associated with Adlai Stevenson's presidential campaigns, framing abstract thought as disconnected from the practical concerns of everyday life. The term's logic lies in using two common, concrete nouns ("egg" and "head") to create a vivid, slightly mocking image for an abstract personality type.
Analysis
Structure: egg + head
- egg: From Old Norse egg, meaning "egg." In this compound, it functions metaphorically, suggesting a shape or form.
- head: From Old English hēafod, meaning "head, top, chief." In this compound, it functions as the primary noun, referring to the physical head.
Examples
The policy was designed by eggheads in a think tank, far removed from the realities of the factory floor.
He was often dismissed as an egghead because of his fondness for quoting classical philosophy.
The novel's protagonist is an egghead scientist who struggles to navigate simple social situations.