As Daft As a Brush: Meaning and Origins
The phrase “as daft as a brush” is a colorful idiom used to describe someone lacking in intelligence, remarkably foolish, or simply exhibiting silly behavior. It’s a relatively gentle insult, often used playfully, but can also convey genuine exasperation. To call someone “as daft as a brush” implies they are acting in a manner that is illogical, unthinking, or lacking common sense.
Tracing the Roots: The Origin of the Phrase
The history of the phrase is surprisingly linked to practical tools. While the exact origin remains somewhat debated, most etymological investigations point to a connection with besoms, a type of broom traditionally made with birch twigs. In the nineteenth century, particularly in northern England, the phrase “daft as a besom” was common. A besom, while useful, was considered a rather simple, inanimate object. Comparing someone to it implied a similar lack of complex thought.
The shift from “besom” to “brush” happened over time. Brushes, like besoms, are everyday tools that are inanimate and therefore cannot think. William Dickinson documented “Ey, as daft as a besom” in his 1859 A Glossary of Words and Phrases of Cumberland. By the mid twentieth century, the phrase had evolved into “as daft as a brush”, with its first printed appearance in 1944 in the Lincolnshire Echo. In that article the writer said: “I will agree with anything that says I am daft, daft as a brush, but I have enough sense to keep away from your daughter.” This illustrates the phrase’s initial use as a self‑deprecating acknowledgement of foolishness, before becoming a general insult.
Literary and Cultural Significance: Analyzing the Phrase in Context
The enduring popularity of “as daft as a brush” lies in its evocative imagery and playful tone. Unlike more harsh insults, it allows the speaker to express disapproval without resorting to aggressive language. Its appearance in literature, while not overwhelmingly frequent, reveals how writers utilize it to characterize individuals and create comedic effect.
Example #1: Depicting Eccentricity in Blur’s “Parklife”
Martin Power wrote in a retrospective that Blur’s video for “Parklife” was “daft as a brush”, describing it as whimsical and over the top.
Here, Power uses “daft as a brush” to describe the deliberately absurd and unconventional music video for Blur’s “Parklife.” The phrase isn’t meant as a criticism of the band’s creativity, but rather as an acknowledgement of the video’s sheer silliness and willingness to embrace the ridiculous. It highlights the band’s playful artistic choices and their rejection of conventional music video tropes.
Example #2: Characterizing Immaturity in The Valley: A Hundred Years in the Life of a Family
“Millie, who likes dances, suggested that one at the Miners’ Welfare Hall because she was on the bill. She performed with a young amateur singer and comedian from Bolton upon Dearne, known as the Juggler, and he had asked her to do a couple of songs with him and the band. ‘You’ll have to come and meet him!’ she told Winnie. ‘He’s a good sport, but he’s as daft as a brush.’”
Benso employs the phrase to subtly critique the Juggler’s lack of sophistication. While acknowledged as “a good sport,” he’s also implicitly presented as somewhat immature or lacking in common sense. The phrase serves as a gentle warning to Winnie, suggesting she shouldn’t expect too much from him. It is characterization through the eyes of another, demonstrating social judgement.
Example #3: Unveiling Historical Context in The Guardian (“Semantic Enigmas”)
“The full expression is: ‘daft as a brush and not half as useful.’ In the days of chimney sweeps, children were often used to clean chimneys because they were small enough to fit inside. They were held upside down inside the chimney, and accidents frequently occurred, leading to injuries. Hence the phrase ‘daft’, meaning silly or unable to concentrate.” (Courtesy by Bev Paras, Sydney, Australia)
This piece delves into a fascinating, though likely apocryphal, origin story. Bev Paras proposes a link between the phrase and the tragic practice of using child chimney sweeps, who suffered frequent head injuries. While the historical connection is debatable, it illustrates how the phrase’s meaning—lack of mental acuity—may have stemmed from a dark historical reality. This demonstrates how phrases can carry layers of meaning beyond their surface level.
Example #4: Establishing a Character Flaw in The Road Leading to Hell
“Tseronida does not attract me at all. It is not enough that she is clumsy; she is as daft as a brush,” he doubted.
Then there was the master of intrigues.
“You must marry Tseronida. Her stupidity is in your hands. She is not a beauty, I understand you. What are the superfluous troubles to you?”
Lawword utilizes the phrase to swiftly establish a negative characteristic of Tseronida. It’s a blunt assessment of her intelligence (or lack thereof) that immediately positions her as an undesirable match. The phrase serves to highlight the narrator’s disdain and the political motivations behind the proposed marriage.
Beyond Literature: Everyday Usage and Variations
The phrase “as daft as a brush” remains common in contemporary English, particularly in British English. It’s frequently used in informal conversation and can be applied to a wide range of situations. Here are a few examples:
- “Don’t trust him with the finances; he’s as daft as a brush when it comes to money.”
- “She tried to bake a cake without reading the instructions; she’s as daft as a brush sometimes.”
- “He believed everything he read on the internet; he was as daft as a brush.”
While the phrase itself doesn’t have many common variations, related idioms like “a bit daft,” “completely daft,” or “acting daft” are frequently used to modify the degree of foolishness. The phrase also occasionally appears with “brush” replaced by other similarly inanimate objects, though these are less common.
Ultimately, “as daft as a brush” is a testament to the enduring power of colorful idioms. It’s a phrase that evokes a vivid image, conveys a clear meaning, and adds a touch of playful wit to any conversation or piece of writing.