head-scratcher

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head-scratcher

/ˈhɛdˌskɹæt͡ʃɚ/ US

Where it comes from

From head + scratcher. Literal sense from 1873, figurative from 1971.

noun head-scratchers · head scratcher · headscratcher

figuratively, informal Something particularly puzzling or confusing. Golden Globes nominations a head-scratcher
Similar: poser, stumper, nutcracker
literally A device used to scratch the head. Her aunt's husband or her grandfather brings a head scratcher. "If the maid scratched her hair or body with her fingers during these days of observance, her hair would fall out."

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MLA

"head-scratcher." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/head-scratcher. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

head-scratcher. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/head-scratcher

Chicago

"head-scratcher." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/head-scratcher.

BibTeX

@misc{head_scratcher_2026,
  title = {head-scratcher},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/head-scratcher},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}