ˈsap-head
[f. sap n.1 (sense 4). Cf. the earlier sapskull.]
A fool, a simpleton.
| 1798 T. G. Fessenden in Farmer's Weekly Museum 2 Jan. 4/1 The poet nimbly trips it back—Over the Union courses rapid, And squibs each Jacobinick saphead. 1828 Craven Gloss., Sap-head, a blockhead. 1884 ‘Mark Twain’ Huck. Finn iii. 23 You don't seem to know anything, somehow—perfect sap-head. |
So sap-headed a., foolish, stupid.
| 1665 Head Eng. Rogue (1666) i. iv. 31 Culle, a Sap-headed Fellow. 1821 in Cobbett Rur. Rides (1885) I. 31 Sap-headed fools! They will [etc.]. 1902 Harper's Mag. Jan. 266/2 Of all the sap-headed milksops I ―. |