In Britain a Clot Is Also a Fool
A clot is a thickened lump, especially of blood. British informal English uses it as a mild insult.
A clot is a thick coagulated lump, especially of blood. British informal English also uses it for a fool, in the same way *clod*, *lump* and *blockhead* work: a dense lump of matter standing in for a dense person. The two are the same word, from Old English *clott*, a lump. Blood clotting is a cascade of more than a dozen proteins acting in sequence, which is why a single missing factor causes haemophilia.
- A thickened lump. *A blood clot.*
- To coagulate. *The blood clotted.*
- A fool (British). *You clot.*
- Clotted cream. *Clotted cream.*
- Old English — *clott*, a lump. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | clot | A clot. |
| Plural | clots | Clots. |
| Verb | clot | Clotting. |
| Adjective | clotted | Clotted. |
| Related | clod | A clod. |
- A clot blocked the vessel.Medicine.
- Clotted cream on a scone.Food.
- You absolute clot.British.
Lumps that mean fools
- Clot — a coagulated lump
- Clod — a lump of earth
- Blockhead — a head made of wood
- Lummox — an awkward heavy person
- Dolt — related to *dull*, a blunted thing
Old English *clott*, a lump or mass, of Germanic origin, related to German *Klotz*.
Why does clot mean a fool in Britain?
By the same logic as clod or blockhead. A dense lump of matter stands in for a dense person.
What is clotted cream?
Cream heated slowly so a thick crust forms on top, a speciality of Devon and Cornwall.