The correct spelling of the phrase "feather brained" is often confused due to its similarity to "father." However, the first syllable in "feather" is pronounced as "FETH-er" while "father" is pronounced as "FAH-ther." The second syllable in "brained" is pronounced as "braned" with a long "a" sound. The phrase means to be forgetful or scatterbrained. Remember to spell it correctly in your writing to avoid confusion with the similar sounding "father."
Feather brained is an idiomatic expression used to describe someone who is considered to be shallow-minded, flighty, or lacking in intelligence or common sense. This term is derived from the notion that a bird's brain is small and light, implying that someone who is feather brained is similarly lacking in substance or depth.
The term feather brained suggests that the individual is easily distracted or swayed by trivial matters, lacking the ability to focus or engage in serious thoughts or discussions. They may appear scatterbrained, forgetful, or dim-witted, often displaying a lack of judgment or an inability to comprehend complex ideas. Additionally, a person who is described as feather brained may be perceived as being impractical, making impulsive decisions without careful consideration of the consequences.
Furthermore, feather brained individuals may exhibit a tendency to constantly change their minds or waver in their opinions, being easily influenced by others or by prevailing trends. They may prioritize superficial matters over more important ones, emphasizing style and appearance rather than substance and substance.
Overall, feather brained is a term used to highlight the perceived lack of intellectual depth, rationality, and seriousness in an individual, suggesting that their cognitive abilities are limited or superficial.
The term "feather-brained" is a compound word formed from "feather" and "brained".
- "Feather" originally derives from Old English "fether", which referred to the covering of birds. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "fethrō" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*pet-", meaning "feather" or "wing".
- "Brained" comes from "brain", which comes from Old English "brǣġen". The word "brain" ultimately stems from the Proto-Germanic "*bragną" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*mreģh-", meaning "marrow" or "brain".