Also a slightly old-fashioned, mild put-down for a stupid person. From the weightlifter stereotype of all muscle and no brain. "Dumb-bell" is so mild as to be practically Disneyesque. It's something you're more likely to hear on "Talespin" than "NYPD Blue".

Dumb"-bell` (?), n.

A weight, consisting of two spheres or spheroids, connected by a short bar for a handle; used (often in pairs) for gymnastic exercise.

 

© Webster 1913.

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