dingbat
noun
[ ˈdɪŋbat ]
• a stupid or eccentric person.
• delusions or feelings of unease, particularly those induced by delirium tremens.
• a typographical device other than a letter or numeral (such as an asterisk), used to signal divisions in text or to replace letters in a euphemistically presented vulgar word.
Origin:
mid 19th century (in early use applied to various vaguely specified objects): origin uncertain; perhaps based on ding2. dingbat (sense 2) is probably by association with have bats in the belfry .
