or soft-baked, adj. (common).—Half witted; cracked; SOFT (q.v.); DOUGHY (q.v.); also HALF-ROCKED (q.v.). For synonyms, see APARTMENTS and TILE LOOSE. Fr., n’avoir pas la tête bien cuite.
1824. SCOTT, St. Ronan’s Well, ii., 221. He must scheme forsooth, this HALF-BAKED Scotch cake! He must hold off and on, and be cautious, and wait the result, and try conclusions with me, this lump of natural dough!
1837. C. KINGSLEY, Two Years Ago, ch. iv. ‘A sort of HALF-BAKED body,’ said Kate.
1886. BESANT, Children of Gibeon, Bk. II., ch. xiv. A daughter of seventeen not quite right in her head—‘HALF-BAKED,’ to use the popular and feeling expression.
1890. Answers, Xmas No., p. 19, c. 3. ‘You needn’t be so crusty,’ said Todkins to his better half. ‘Better be a little crusty than not HALF-BAKED,’ was the reply of his amiable spouse.
1892. Pall Mall Gazette, 1 Nov., p. 2, c. 3. Mr. Vane Tempest as serenest of HALF-BAKED cynics, and Mr. H. Vincent as most credulous of bibulous optimists.
