dunce hats
Pointed fool caps
Dunce hats are tall, cone-shaped paper caps once placed on students as punishment for slowness or failure.
The practice, named for the medieval philosopher John Duns Scotus whose followers were later mocked as stupid, has largely disappeared from schools.
The image persists as a symbol of humiliation or stupidity: He might as well wear a dunce hat.
- conicalTapering to a point
- follyAbsence of good judgment
- pointExact location or meaning
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
corner · punishments · paper · fool's cap · ridicule · academic · caricature · stool · scold · slow learner · school · jester · symbol · emotional impact · embarrassment · social exclusion · public shaming · cone
academic achievement symbolism
dunce hatsgraduation caps
Academic ceremony headwear
mortarboards · honor cords · gold stars · academic regalia · diplomas