Etymology

dummy

D2U1M3M3Y4

Today it means: A silent person; a person who does not talk. Full definition →

First used 20th c.
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The story

From dumb + -y. Pacifier sense from dummy teat where dummy is in the sense of a nonfunctional replica.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 20th c. A pacifier; a plastic or rubber teat used to soothe or comfort a baby.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.