This week’s whimsy dates back to as early as 1529 in the the writing of Tudor poet John Skelton, with one of several words for number of similar words for fools or simpletons, pertaining to those who might unthinkingly nod their head to anything. Poll is an old word for scalp or crown of the head. Nodgecock, nodgecomb, nodcock, hoddy-noddy, Tom-noddy are variants from a similar period.
Noddy is of course also a name, but perhaps other than hats, there’s no connection between, for example, the fictional children’s character created by Enid Blyton, or indeed Noddy Holder, the likeable frontman of 70s glam rockers Slade with the word noddypoll. Fools and jesters of course have always had a double-edge to them, nodding in pretend ignorance, when, such in a king’s court, they satirise those around them.
Noddy in Toyland
Nothing foolish about Noddy Holder
The traditional dunce hat didn’t alway point to ignorance
Hats seem to a common thread here, but for fun, here few random songs related to noddypolls:
Feel free to share anything more in relation to foolish noddypolls or similar, whether in music or wider culture, such as from film, art, or other contexts, in comments below.
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