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head-scratching

Confusing, perplexing, puzzling.

Etymology:

  • head + scratching, from the fact that many people scratch the side of their head when confused.
5 Views
“

He became for a short time delirious, in consequence of attempting to comprehend the works of Mr. Nebulous, in which the English language is exhibited casting of summersets, with many prancings to and fro, before earnest-gazing, head-scratching readers, in murkiest obscuration, marvel stricken, with maddest humour and grinning contortions, heels-over-head, wondrous!

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Submitted on July 10, 2018

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to head-scratching

Hit the Nail Right on the Headhead starthead starthit the nail on the headhit the nail on the headhead-oni've seen a better looking head on…in one's headhead triphold over someone's headhead-emptierin one's headhead to toehead trip

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    "head-scratching." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/head-scratching_25849>.

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