pointy-headed

American  

[poin-tee-hed-id] / ˈpɔɪn tiˌhɛd ɪd /

adjective

Slang: Usually Disparaging.

1. stupid; idiotic.

2. intellectual, especially in a self-important or impractical way.

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Other Word Forms

• pointy-head noun

Etymology

Origin of pointy-headed

An Americanism dating back to 1970–75

Example Sentences

This was especially true after single-camera half-hours seized all the critical attention while reliable multi-cams did their thing without the benefit of pointy-headed celebration.

From Salon

To baldly paraphrase Oliver Wendell Holmes, three generations of pointy-headed lawyers is enough.

From Slate

With his tiny head and rumpled feathers, Tuffy appeared like an ungroomed, pointy-headed bichon frisé next to Lola, who seemed more Rottweiler.

From Los Angeles Times

Of course, people who want to believe that sentient artificial intelligence is possible will ignore me, but I tend to be skeptical of the idea for one important, if pointy-headed, reason: Intelligence is the result of, not the cause of, sentience.

From Salon

And it is better for both the economy and the democratic legitimacy of a rescue effort when elected leaders choose to help people by spending money, versus when pointy-headed technocrats help by obscure interventions in financial markets.

From New York Times