noodle
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: [ˈnuː.dl̩]
ipa: /ˈnu.dəl/
ipa: [ˈnuː.dl̩]
ipa: [ˈnʉː.dl̩]
rhymes: -uːdəl
Forms: form: noodles
Etymology: The origin of the noun is uncertain; it is possibly a variant of noddle (“the head”). The verb is derived from the noun.
Senses: examples: text: Laura told me the names of all the actors and actreſſes as they preſented themſelves; and, not contented vvith this, the ſatyrical baggage deſcrib'd their characters nicely, as they appeared. "This here (ſaid ſhe) is a noodle—That fellovv is a brute:[…]."
ref: 1751, [Alain-René Lesage], “Which is as Short as the Foregoing”, in [Tobias George Smollett], transl., The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane. […], 3rd edition, volume I, London: […] J. Osborn, […], →OCLC, book III, page 244:
text: You vvrong me, noodle (boxes his ears). Novv then to the point.
ref: 1796 March 25 (first performance), J[ames] C. Cross, “The Village Doctor, a Burletta. […]”, in Parnassian Bagatelles: Being a Miscellaneous Collection of Poetical Attempts. […], London: […] Burton and Co. […]; [for] Bellamy, […], published 1796, →OCLC, page 140:
text: [T]hou would'st fling thy cuckoldy steeple-hat one way, and that bloodthirsty long-sword another, and trip like the noodles of Hogs-Norton, when the pigs play on the organ.
ref: 1826, [Walter Scott], chapter III, in Woodstock; Or, The Cavalier. […], volume I, Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, →OCLC, page 67:
text: [A] long and hopeless career in your profession, the chuckling grin of noodles, the sarcastic leer of the genuine political rogue— […] these were the penalties exacted for liberality of opinion at that period; and not only was there no pay, but there were many stripes.
ref: 1839, Sydney Smith, “Preface”, in The Works of the Rev. Sydney Smith. […], volume I, London: […] [A[ndrew] Spottiswoode] for Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longmans, […], →OCLC, page viii:
text: If that portrait could speak, sir,— […] it would testify, that a long period has elapsed since I first habitually addressed it as the picture of a Noodle. Nothing that a Noodle does, can awaken surprise or indignation; the proceedings of a Noodle can only inspire contempt.
ref: 1854, Charles Dickens, “Final”, in Hard Times. For These Times, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], →OCLC, 3rd book (Garnering), page 349:
text: "What are you two noodleth laughing at?" Norrie went on, with a touch of indignation. "Ithn't the thenthe of thent in hith nothe?"
ref: 1905 February 4, Alfred Colbeck, “Netted: The Story of a Capture”, in The Boy’s Own Paper, volume XXVII, number 19 (number 1360 overall), London: “Boy’s Own Paper” Office, […], →OCLC, chapter V (A Surprising Capture), page 314, column 1:
glosses: A person with poor judgment; a fool.
examples: text: [W]hat appears to at first glance to be a thinking problem can be a problem with sight or hearing. […] There's nothing wrong with your noodle; it's your sensory equipment that needs a bit of help. Learn to compensate.
ref: 2006, Mark Victor Hansen, Art Linkletter, “Mind or Are You ‘Sageing’ or Aging?”, in How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life, Nashville, Tenn.: Nelson Books, Thomas Nelson, →ISBN, page 172:
glosses: The brain; the head.
Synonyms: word: noodle
Hyponyms: word: noodles by form
word: cup noodles
word: fried noodles
word: frozen noodles
word: instant noodles
word: types of noodles
word: cellophane noodle
word: egg noodle
word: flat rice noodle
word: glass noodle
word: rice noodle
word: wide rice noodle
word: Chinese noodles
word: jook-sing
word: yi mein
word: Japanese noodles
word: ramen
word: shirataki
word: soba
word: udon
word: other noodles
word: bami
word: bakmi
word: couscous
word: idiyappam
word: rice stick
word: saimin
Derived terms: banoodles
noodledom
noodlehead
noodleism
Related terms: word: pasta - for Italian noodles and noodle dishes