nong
[ nong ]
/ nɒŋ /
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noun Australian and New Zealand Informal.
a foolish, incompetent person.
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of nong
1940–45; probably by shortening of Australian and earlier British slang ning-nong, ning-nang fool, perhaps expressive variants of earlier nigmenog fool, of obscure origin
Words nearby nong
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for nong
It is formed by ong or nong—frequent terminations in geographical names.
It was really not long before she understood much more than "wee and nong" when she was present at a business interview.
T. Tembarom|Frances Hodgson BurnettThere is another instrument, called khong-nong, the music of which is also very pleasant.
Another of its ancient names was "Wa-we-aw-to-nong," meaning round by, in allusion to its circuitous way of approach.
Peculiarities of American Cities|Willard Glazier
British Dictionary definitions for nong
nong
/ (nɒŋ) /
noun
Australian slang a stupid or incompetent person
Word Origin for nong
C19: perhaps alteration of obsolete English dialect nigmenog silly fellow, of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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