Thursday, July 21, 2005

He's a total tool...

You're a total tool. Who uses this word? My friend yesterday was talking about a guy who was a "tool." I've heard this word before but I've never known just exactly what it means to be a tool.

My one friend thought it meant that he was a dork, but why if it's just another word for a dork why don't we call the guy a dork? My other friend thought that in order to be a tool you have to be somewhat attractive and somewhat cool. I agreed more with her theory. I always thought a tool was someone who was somewhat popular and somewhat attractive but when you got to know him he was a total "tool" - meaning a combination of moron, idiot, ass, etc. etc.

I looked the word up in the dictionary but came up empty handed. It did define the slang tool that has become a part of our language. So then how do I know what it means? I just love saying the word. He sounds so hilarious. Hey, you're a tool! You're such a tool. What a tool! I proceeded to tell my boyfriend that he was a tool at least 10-20 times last night jokingly. Needless to say, he didn't find it too funny.

I kind of thought the word tool had gone out of style but has it made a comeback? Do you use the word? How do you use it? And what the hell does it really mean?

11 comments:

FantasticAlice said...

Hmmmm....puzzling. I always thought a tool was a kind of yes-man who did everything he could to please his boss, not neccessarily a brown-noser, just a person who is manipulated my another individual for their purposes.

Good Question!

Jess said...

i remember in highschool people using that word to describe a hoebag. Hope that helps. I'll be sure to ask around. But honestly i don't think it means anything. It's just a word that some drunk person used one time and now we all think it means something. I think i'll start a new word. I'll let you know when i come up with the perfect one.

ghartstein said...

I always thought it to mean kind of a dumbass who was easily manipulated or used...like you would use a tool...but what do I know about semantics?

Heather said...

I reserve calling someone a tool for just the right tool. I don't know why, but a tool is VERY specific for me and I can't really describe it or why...

One of my favorite variations is "toolbag."

Props to Sean for bringing up Knob and Douchebag. Two very good ones that don't get used very often.

Steph said...

I remember my co-workers using that word alot a few years back and I had no idea what it meant. So I just laughed along with them like I knew what they were talking about.

I think I was the tool then. I know what it means now.

Revee said...

See no one knows what it uses! I really agree that I think someone used it one time and it just caught on. Me and my friends used to say tight for cool and things like Cool Beans. They were retarded but we thought we were da bomb.

Fantasticalice, your definition is the one I actually found in the dictionary but that is not how it's being used as slang. It is the correct term though!

Dean, thanks for the new words. I will look up the word tool in urbandictionary when I get home because our filter won't let me look at that page!

Allie, you're so right. Those are all total tools! Some more tools: Randy Jackson, Real World Philadelphia's Landon and Michael, Real World Austin's Wes

Steph, I am positive you were not the one they were referring to being the tool. I really don't think girls can be tools. Hmm...

Revee said...

If that is an insinuation lee that I try to control you you are wrong. I have absolutely NO control over you. I wish I did...And by the way if you were trying to hide your identity you did a bad job. Even Allie picked up on the fact it was you. Love you babe!

Revee said...

And what a code he is. He outsmarted me again that sly little fox.

Revee said...

I thought of a new word: shizammed. I'm going out tonight to get shizammed. Meaning: wasted -beyond shitfaced drunk. Oh yea. Let the fun begin...

Revee said...

Okay so I looked up the definition of "tool" on urbandictionary.com. It says:

One who lacks the mental capacity to know he is being used. A fool. A cretin. Characterized by low intelligence and/or self-steem.

someone who tries too hard. a poser. one of those chic's who holds the sign saying "Carson Daly is Hot." the asstard who goes to a rock show because they heard one of the songs on the radio or mtv. or someone who insists on wearing velour sweat suits. Avril Lavigne.

This explains it all....we were all kinda right!

CBC said...

"one who lacks the mental capacity"... i like that. 'tool' doesnt get much use in the UK amongst people i know, but 'knob' or 'knob - end' is definitely a good one. And like all good put downs, has several other meanings. Both are used as euphimisms for penis back home, so if you call someone a tool... that might well be what they think you are saying to them!'tosser' is a good one, as is 'muppet'. I havent heard anyone using that over here yet, except from my own mouth when trying to come to terms with driving on roads around here.. (shouted at myself and various other road users!)