# noddy

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈnɒdi/ · frequency rank #73,479

## Definitions
1. A silly or stupid person; a fool, an idiot.
2. In full knave noddy: the jack or knave playing card.
3. In full noddy-fifteen: a certain card game related to cribbage.
4. In full noddy-fifteen: a certain card game related to cribbage.

## Etymology
Noun sense 1 is possibly from nod (“to incline the head up and down; to gradually fall asleep”) + -y (suffix forming diminutive nouns or familiar names); or a shortening of noddypoll, an obsolete alteration of hoddypoll (“fumbling, inept person”).
The origin of noun sense 2 is uncertain; it is possibly derived from sense 1. Compare muggins (“fool, idiot; card game based on building in suits or matching exposed cards, the object being to get rid of one’s cards”).
The origin of the adjective is uncertain; it is possibly also from nod (verb) + -y (suffix meaning ‘of or relating to’ forming adjectives).
The verb is derived from noun sense 1.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/noddy