moonlingn.
/ˈmuːnlɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈmunlɪŋ/ rare.
A simpleton; an idiot.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupid, foolish, or inadequate person > person of weak intellect > [noun] > idiot, crazy person
Jack foolc1405
drivel1478
idiotc1480
nidiot1533
hare-brain1542
hare-copa1566
nidget1579
lunatic1602
flight-head1605
moonling1631
driveller1682
tomfool1683
niddy-noddy1722
imbecile1781
puggle1783
gype1825
eejit1853
nowmun1854
dinlo1873
loon1885
ratbag1890
doughbakea1895
ding-a-ling1899
feeb1914
dingbat1915
bodoh1922
diddy1933
Nimrod1933
pranny1949
momo1953
head-the-ball1958
flake1968
fuckwit1969
tattie-bogle1969
div1975
tube1975
wazzock1976
gonzo1977
motorhead1979
prannet1979
twonk1981
dough ball1983
numpty1985
divvy1987
1631 B. Jonson Divell is Asse i. vi. 158 in Wks. II I haue a husband,..But such a moon-ling, as no wit of man Or roses can redeeme from being an Asse.
1861 H. Mann Twelve Serm. iv. 93 You know what is meant by an idiot,—a blank, stark, brainless moonling,—one who dwells amid the beauties and glories of nature, yet finds no charm or splendor in them all.
1961 V. Sackville-West No Signposts in Sea (1985) 27 Dismissive as a Pharisee, I regarded as moonlings all those whose life was lived on a less practical plane.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1631