What Are The Differences Between A "Nitwit", "Halfwit", And A "Dimwit"?

Question

I've heard al of these terms used, butnever really sorted it out before. I think that people often use words without knowing what they mean.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Well a nit refers to the egg of head lice and they are pretty small. ( not that I know personally) So that makes that persons wit pretty little.

A half-wit would be a person that has a full sized brain but only utilizes it about half the time.

A dim-wit doesn't mention brain size but generally says he doesn't have the capacity to use much of his total brain.

Then there is wit-less, which , in my opinion, means that person is nothing more than a brain stem operating a human body. The medulla of the brain keeps you breathing and your heart going but that's about it. Doesnt even require brain power for it. Think I've actually witnessed a few " wit-less " brain stems" in my life. I believe at times, I may have been wit-less.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Hadn't thought aboutthe lice nit. I was thinking of a play on Knit, like "twisted".
Half wit= 50IQ
Dim wit= less than average IQ

You made me think. Like your attitude, too.

Answer 2

Not much. They are all low on, or without any wit.

Answer 3

The first syllable.

Answer 4

none -- words that are very insulting - they are words that only a person with a lack of proper upbringing would use!!!

Answer 5

Not much if they wear the same outfit.

Source(s):

"Nitwit", "Halfwit", And A "Dimwit" could refer to Me, Myself, and I. LOL

Answer 6

A nitwit has a very small brain, the size of a nit or hair-louse.
A halfwit has only half the normal human brain capacity.
A dimwit has a normal sized brain but is not very bright.

All of these epithets may be applied to anyone who, in the opinion of the speaker, is somewhat lacking in intelligence or plain common sense.

Answer 7

I didn't know there was a difference, I think I've been called all three

Answer 8

I thought they were triplets. At least I could never tell them apart.

Answer 9

A nit buzzes around the point puzzling what it is, a half gets the wrong half of it, and a dim replies with her mistaken perception of it.

Answer 10

All = "Twit", probably the different versions are said by locality.

Source(s):

10 fries short of a Happy Meal!

Answer 11

Nitwit~ is a want-to be
Halfwit~ is half way there
Dinwit~ is someone that the elevator does not reach the top.

Answer 12

They all mean a stupid person so that leaves you with the difference between nit, half and dim. A nit is a lice egg. Half is 50% of whole. Dim is a low level of light.
Modify the words to:
Lice-brain
50%-smart
Low level IQ

Answer 13

Not much difference.all are slow and a halfwit is also a dunderhead which is also a numbskull.

Answer 14

they all fit my ex.

Answer 15

The degree of lack of wit. LOL