subs. (American).—A stupid fellow; generally ‘a silly’ or ‘mad old COOT.’ Stupid as a COOT is a common English provincialism. [The fulica altra, the bald or common COOT, like the ostrich, is said to bury its head when pursued, thinking none can see it, as it cannot see itself.] For synonyms, see BUFFLE-HEAD and CABBAGE-HEAD.
