English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From ass +‎ hat, from the slang expression have one's head up one's ass, thus, wearing the ass as a hat. The term is extended to people who are clueless or bumbling, who don't understand what is going on.

Pronunciation

Noun

asshat (plural asshats)

  1. (Canada, US, derogatory, slang, sometimes considered, vulgar, often humorous) An obnoxiously ignorant person; a fool.
    • 1998 July 23, T..., “Re: GREEN RIVER NARROWS, NC: ALL PUTINS CLOSED!!”, in rec.boats.paddle[1] (Usenet), retrieved 2018-10-04, message-ID <6p7j7t$r21$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com>:
      the same connotations as "FUCKWITS." for less extreme cases i suggest ASSHATS
    • 1999 July 23, madge, “California Hustle,”, in alt.fan.erik[2] (Usenet), retrieved 2018-10-04, message-ID <m-2307991051020001@ppp204184.asahi-net.or.jp>:
      1977 CHiPs 3 3/4" action figures (5 different: Ponch, Jon, Sarge,Jimmy Squeaks, Stupid Fucking Asshat Erik Mouse, and Wheels Willie) $10-15 each
    • 2006, Jen Lancaster, Bitter is the New Black [] , Penguin, →ISBN, page 224:
      While I wait, the air is abuzz with tales of other marathons while many set of eyes cut in my direction. Eventually an asshat in a JUST DO IT T-shirt asks me, “How's your training going?”
    • 2007, John Hargrave, Prank the Monkey: The Zug Book of Pranks[3], Citadel Press, →ISBN, page 188:
      Anyone who would make a claim like this on national TV is a real asshat.

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