As bald as a coot

Meaning

The idiom "as bald as a coot" is used to describe someone who has no hair or is completely bald. It can also be used to describe someone who has very little hair, or someone who has their head shaved.

Usage

• "After the chemotherapy treatment, John's head was as bald as a coot."
• "I don't think I could go out in public without a wig – I look too bald for my own good."
• "The barber gave me a very short haircut; I feel like I'm as bald as a coot now."
• "My grandfather was completely bald by the time he was 50, so he always looked like an old coot to me."
• "I don't think I could pull off the bald look – I'd look too much like a coot." The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context. It can be used in a lighthearted or humorous way, as well as in a more serious way to describe someone who has lost their hair due to illness or treatment.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom is unclear, but it may have originated from the fact that coots are known for being bald-headed birds. The idiom may have been used in the past to describe someone who had no hair at all, and over time has evolved to include people with very little hair as well.

Synonyms in English

• Bald
• Naked
• Stripped
• Shaven
• Clean-shaven

Synonyms in other languages

• 燕子头荜 (Japanese) - A bald head, commonly associated with old age or monkhood.
• הזהארים (Hebrew) - Bald or shaved head, often used to describe religious leaders or those who observe Jewish law.
• קולבמוגן (Yiddish) - A bald head, often associated with austerity and humility.
• הצפונים (Hebrew) - Bald or shaved head, used to describe monks or religious leaders in the Sephardic tradition.
• קרןות (Hebrew) - A bald or shaved head, often associated with mourning or spirituality.

Similar Idioms

• a bolt from the blue

• hit the road

• a voice crying in the wilderness