Shit for brains


What's the meaning of the phrase 'Shit for brains'?

Extremely stupid.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Shit for brains'?

This term of abuse originated in the USA in the 1960s. The earliest record of it that I can find is David Maccuish’s novel Do not go Gentle, 1960:

“Larko’s got shit for brains.”

Trend of shit for brains in printed material over time

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Shit for brains

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