Tuesday Word: nimrod

[ellesieg.livejournal.com]

In modern slang, a nimrod is an inept person, socially or otherwise -- foolish, rude, unable or unwilling to do anything right. The term has its origins in Nimrod, from the Hebrew Nimrōdh, a biblical king, ruler of Shinar. Renowned for his power and hunting ability, his name became sort of a generic term for a skilled hunter, a tyrant or a powerful person. How did nimrod, with such lofty origins, sink to the level of a common insult? It's all thanks to cartoon character Bugs Bunny, who sarcastically referred to Elmer Fudd, a determined but miserably unsuccessful rabbit hunter, as a nimrod.