dimwit; halfwit; slow-witted person
Derogatory term for a person who is slow on the uptake or foolish. Often used in casual, insulting speech.
faded, dull-colored eggplant
Original literal meaning; refers to an eggplant that has lost its color and freshness. Rarely used in modern conversation except in historical or explanatory contexts.
This eggplant has already become faded and dull.
That guy is a real dimwit.
You can't even understand something that simple? What are you, a halfwit?
Usually written in katakana; the kanji form 惚け茄子 is rare.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
Kanji form; rarely used in modern writing.
Originally referred to a faded, dull-colored eggplant (惚け茄子). The derogatory sense for a slow-witted person likely arose from the image of a 'dull' or 'faded' eggplant, implying mental dullness.