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stunned
DCHP-2 (May 2016)
adj. — Newfoundland, rare
foolish or unintelligent.
Type: 2. Preservation — The term has precursors in Southwestern English stunpoll, which is defined in EDD as "stupid, doltish" (see EDD, s.v. "stunpoll" [2, adj.]). DNE states that the term's origins may also be found in the word stunt, which EDD defines as "unyielding, obstinate, stubborn; sulky; impassive; stupid." (see EDD, s.v. "stunt" [6]), though the evidence comes mostly from Northern England, which did not serve (in contrast to Southwest England) as an immigration region for Newfoundland. The spelling of the term has evolved, while the meaning remains similar.
See also COD-2, s.v. "stunned", which is marked "Cdn informal".
See also COD-2, s.v. "stunned", which is marked "Cdn informal".
Quotations
1979
Explains
Newfoundland folklorist Pat Byrne: For centuries before Confederation the
Newfoundlander had related to the sea and related to the seasons and to
things that he could touch and feel and fear and hate and love - basic,
gut things. Now you take that man away from that which he's suckled for
400 years and ask him to go to Toronto and lay asphalt and that's how you
get a stunned Newf.
1982
Look what they do with baby cows in Europe and on the Mainland. You don't see some stunned farmer in Ontario or France going out on his field with a club the size of Signal Hill smashin' their heads in. No way.
2001
Like a lot of things, stupidity is relative, and often depends upon one's perspective.
Last week in Calgary, an elderly man attempted suicide by jumping off a bridge into the Bow River. A brave and heroic young man from Newfoundland witnessed the event and went into the dangerous, icy water to save him.
Soon after reading that story, I suspected a new Newfie joke was about to be added to the infamous collection. I envisioned the headline, "Stunned Newf 'saves' man, foils suicide."
References
- DNE
- EDD
- COD-2