dingbat

ding bat |ˈdiNGˌbat ˈdɪŋˌbæt | informal ▶noun 1 a stupid or eccentric person. 2 a typographical device other than a letter or numeral (such as an asterisk ), used to signal divisions in text or to replace letters in a euphemistically presented vulgar word. ORIGIN mid 19th cent. (in early use applied to various vaguely specified objects ): origin uncertain; perhaps based on obsolete ding ‘to beat, deal heavy blows. ’ Sense 1 dates from the early 20th cent.

dingbat

dingbat |ˈdɪŋbat | ▶noun informal 1 N. Amer. & Austral. /NZ a stupid or eccentric person. 2 (dingbats ) Austral. /NZ delusions or feelings of unease, particularly those induced by delirium tremens. 3 a typographical device other than a letter or numeral (such as an asterisk ), used to signal divisions in text or to replace letters in a euphemistically presented vulgar word. ORIGIN mid 19th cent. (in early use applied to various vaguely specified objects ): origin uncertain; perhaps based on ding 2. Sense 2 is probably by association with have bats in the belfry .