nimrod

Origin: In most English-speaking countries, Nimrod is used to denote a hunter or warrior, because the biblical Nimrod is described as "a mighty hunter". In American English, however, the term has acquired a derogatory meaning of "idiot"; there are various hypotheses as to why. Most examples suggest an intermediate form where Nimrod is used deliberately to mock a hunter. Whether this usage was widespread, or how it influenced the final meaning where the hunter connotation is unintended, might be beyond reach. One suggestion is that Bugs Bunny's references to Elmer Fudd as a "poor little Nimrod", whi. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).