As bald as a coot

Definitions

• to describe someone as completely bald
  Used to describe someone who has no hair on their head, either due to natural hair loss or shaving it all off.

• to emphasize the lack of hair on someone's head
  Used to emphasize the extent to which someone is bald, often in a humorous or exaggerated way.

Examples of As bald as a coot

• The old man's head was as bald as a coot.

  This idiom is used to describe someone who has no hair, particularly someone who is old. The word "coot" is a slang term for a type of waterbird that has no feathers on its head, making it appear bald. Using this idiom adds a colorful and vivid image to the description, making it more memorable and interesting.

• The barber's chair was empty, except for a coot.

  In this example, the idiom is used metaphorically to describe a completely empty space, such as an empty chair or room. The use of "coot" in this context adds a humorous and lighthearted touch to the sentence, making it more engaging and entertaining.

• The chessboard was as bare as a coot's head.

  This idiom is used to describe a completely empty or devoid space, such as an empty chessboard. The use of "coot's head" adds a unique and unconventional image to the description, making it more memorable and interesting.

• The shelves were as empty as a coot's nest.

  This idiom is used to describe a completely empty space, such as an empty shelf or nest. The use of "coot's nest" adds a humorous and lighthearted touch to the sentence, making it more engaging and entertaining.

• The football field was as bare as a coot's back.

  This idiom is used to describe a completely empty or devoid space, such as an empty football field. The use of "coot's back" adds a unique and unconventional image to the description, making it more memorable and interesting.

Conclusion

The idiom "as bald as a coot" is typically used to describe someone who is completely bald or has a significant lack of hair on their head. It can be used in a literal sense, to describe someone who has lost all their hair, or in a more figurative sense, to exaggerate the extent of someone's baldness.

Origin of "As bald as a coot"

The origin of this idiom is believed to come from the coot bird, which is known for its bald head. The phrase was first recorded in the late 16th century and has been used in various forms over the years. It is often used in British English, but has also been adopted in other English-speaking countries.

The coot bird, also known as the Eurasian coot, has a distinctive white featherless patch on its head, giving it a bald appearance. This has led to the comparison with someone who is bald, and the phrase "as bald as a coot" was born.

Over time, the idiom has evolved to also be used in a more exaggerated or humorous way, often to describe someone who is not completely bald, but has a significant lack of hair on their head. It is also sometimes used to describe someone who has a very shiny or bald-looking head, regardless of their actual amount of hair.