squarehead

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From square +‎ head.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

squarehead (plural squareheads)

  1. (slang) An honest person; a non-criminal.
  2. (slang) A foreigner of Germanic origin, especially a German, Dutch, or Scandinavian person.
    • 1982, Lawrence Durrell, Constance, Faber & Faber 2004 (Avignon Quintet), page 771:
      The squarehead bent his chin to his breast and said, "Very well. In an hour."
    • 2022, Brian Penton, Landtakers: The Story of an Epoch:
      "If I'm good enough to talk about I be good enough to drink with," Peters shouted. "Fritz! Squarehead! Two phlegm-cutters here."
  3. (slang) A socially conventional or boring person.

Usage notes[edit]

  • 'Squarehead' is a literal translation of the term tête carrée used by French-Canadians to describe English-Canadians, especially those who do not or prefer not to speak French.

References[edit]

  • OED, 2nd edition, 1989

Anagrams[edit]