Etymology

nice-but-dim

Today it means: Good-natured, while also being rather unintelligent. Full definition →

First used 20th c.
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The story

From nice + but + dim, popularised by the character Tim Nice-But-Dim on Harry Enfield's Television Programme.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 20th c. Good-natured, while also being rather unintelligent.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.