A witling is (or rather 'was' since, regrettably, the term is no longer used) a person who fancies himself a wit, but isn't. This term for an utterer of light or feeble witticisms was first used in 1693. Please may we bring it back into use?
(According to the spellchecker I have invented the word 'utterer'. It seems to me to be quite an acceptable word for one who utters!)
I shall do my best to help the resurrection.
ReplyDeleteIs this similar to my calling the kittens "nickel-wit" when they do something silly? Actually, i do like this word, as i'm sure i know a few witlings in real life.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful word - "witling". (And I did not react to the word "utterer".)
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