ninnies
Not the brightest
Ninnies is the plural of ninny, a mildly old-fashioned word for a foolish or simpleminded person.
The term carries a gentle, almost affectionate quality of condescension rather than real hostility: Don't be such ninnies—it's perfectly safe.
It suggests naivety or silliness more than stupidity.
Unintelligent or naive people
- dimwitsFoolish, unintelligent people
- nitwitsFoolish, silly people
- doltsSlow-witted people
- blockheadsStupid or obstinate people
dunces · nincompoops · numbskulls · halfwits · dunderheads · boneheads · twits · sillies
Blameless individuals
- greenhornsInexperienced beginners
- babesVery young children
- rubesGullible country folk
- gullsScavenging coastal birds
dupes · pushovers · easy marks · suckers · simpletons · waifs · ingenues · tenderfeet
Those lacking courage
- milksopsTimid, weak individuals
- milquetoastsTimid, unassertive people
- pushoversThose easily persuaded
- shrinking violetsExcessively shy individuals
scaredy-cats · weaklings · doormats · namby-pambies · mollycoddles · sissies · wimps · fraidy-cats
simpletons
Unintelligent or naive people
blockheads · dunces · nincompoops · numbskulls · halfwits · dunderheads · boneheads · twits · sillies · dullards
innocents
Blameless individuals
- greenhornsInexperienced beginners
- babesVery young children
- rubesGullible country folk
gulls · dupes · pushovers · easy marks · suckers · simpletons · waifs · ingenues · tenderfeet · pigeons
cowards
Those lacking courage
- milksopsTimid, weak individuals
- milquetoastsTimid, unassertive people
- pushoversThose easily persuaded
shrinking violets · scaredy-cats · weaklings · doormats · namby-pambies · mollycoddles · sissies · wimps · fraidy-cats · chickens
ninniessages
Profoundly learned people
geniuses · intellectuals · savants · wise men · wise women
ninniesheroes
Admired courageous figures
stalwarts · tough guys · go-getters · dynamos · fireballs