Jackass
/ˈdʒækˌæs/noun
A male donkey; also a foolish or obnoxious person.
Did you know?The word *jack* was once a generic male name in English, so *jackass* literally meant “male ass” before it became a human insult.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
jakke ass
“A male donkey; literally a male ass.”
Early Modern English
English
jack ass
“A donkey, especially a male one.”
17th Century
English
jackass
“A foolish, stupid, or contemptible person.”
Modern English
English
jackass
“A male donkey; an insult for a stupid or obnoxious person.”