squarehead

English

Etymology

From square +‎ head.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈskwɛəhɛd/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈskwɛɚhɛd/

Noun

squarehead (plural squareheads)

1. (slang) An honest person; a non-criminal.
2. (slang) A foreigner of Germanic origin, especially a German, Dutch, or Scandinavian person.
   • 1982, Lawrence Durrell, Constance, Faber & Faber 2004 (Avignon Quintet), page 771:

     The squarehead bent his chin to his breast and said, "Very well. In an hour."

   • 2022, Brian Penton, Landtakers: The Story of an Epoch:

     "If I'm good enough to talk about I be good enough to drink with," Peters shouted. "Fritz! Squarehead! Two phlegm-cutters here."

3. (slang) A socially conventional or boring person.

Usage notes

• 'Squarehead' is a literal translation of the term tête carrée used by French-Canadians to describe English-Canadians, especially those who do not or prefer not to speak French.

References

• OED, 2nd edition, 1989

Anagrams

• headsquare