That’s Ireland

Here is an educational Dail exchange from 1986, between Fianna Fail TD John Wilson and Ceann Comhairle Thomas Fitzpatrick, about whether Fine Gael TD John Bruton is a nincompoop or a buffoon. >>>

From Dail Debate, December 19, 1986

JW - The man [Bruton] must be a nincompoop.

CC - Nincompoop is hardly a parliamentary term.

JW - I do not want to waste too much time.

CC - I know that buffoon is not acceptable.

JW - The Spanish word buffoon means the clown King Philip used to have in his court. I did not say buffoon. I said nincompoop, which is a milder term.

CC - I know Deputy Wilson would like to keep up standards.

JW - That is correct. Nincompoop is nicer. It has three syllables. It is not too offensive.

CC - The Chair does not think so.

JW - If the Chair does not think that Deputy Bruton is a nincompoop then I agree with the Chair.

CC - If it is used as a description, that is different.