Bald as a coot

Definitions

• To describe someone as completely bald or lacking any hair on their head
  It is often used to describe someone who has lost all of their hair due to old age or a medical condition, or someone who shaves their head completely bald as a personal choice or for a specific style.

• To emphasize a lack of hair or baldness in a humorous or exaggerated way
  This meaning is often used in a lighthearted or teasing manner, and may be used to describe someone who is not actually completely bald but has a noticeably thinning or receding hairline.

Examples of Bald as a coot

• John took off his hat, and the children giggled at the sight of him, as bald as a coot.

  This describes John being very bald once he removes his hat, much like the way a coot (a water bird) has a bald-looking patch.

• When she mentioned his hair, or lack thereof, she liked to say her grandfather was as bald as a coot.

  The expression humorously compares her grandfather's baldness to the appearance of a bald coot.

• The new movie character, a wise old man, was as bald as a coot, which added to his sage-like appearance.

  The character's extreme baldness is likened to a coot, suggesting it adds to his wise image.

• As he aged, Michael's hairline receded further, leaving him bald as a coot by his sixtieth birthday.

  Michael's progressive hair loss has resulted in complete baldness, making a comparison to a bald coot relevant.

• Looking at old photos, you could see the progression from a full head of hair to as bald as a coot.

  Old photographs show the transition to complete baldness, likened to the baldness of a coot.

• "He may be as bald as a coot, but he's still the life of the party," she said, defending her friend.

  His noteworthy baldness is highlighted but is positioned as irrelevant to his vibrant personality.

• The barber, with a laugh, said there was little he could do for his client who was as bald as a coot.

  The client is so bald that the barber acknowledges there's no hair to work with, likening the baldness to that of a coot.

• The comedian's self-deprecating joke about being as bald as a coot had the audience roaring with laughter.

  The comedian humorously compares himself to a bald coot, making light of his own lack of hair.

Conclusion

The idiom "bald as a coot" is used to describe someone who is completely bald or has a lack of hair on their head. It can also be used in a humorous or exaggerated way to emphasize a lack of hair.

Origin of "Bald as a coot"

The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated from the coot bird, which is known for its distinctive black head and lack of feathers on its head. This bird is often associated with baldness, and the phrase "bald as a coot" may have been used to describe someone who had a similar appearance to the bird.

Another theory suggests that the phrase may have originated from the medieval belief that coots had bald heads because they were constantly fighting with other birds and losing their feathers in the process.

Regardless of its origin, the idiom "bald as a coot" has been in use since at least the 17th century and continues to be a popular phrase used to describe someone who is completely bald.