dingbat

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdɪŋbat/

noun

informal
  • 1North American & Australian/NZ a stupid or eccentric person.
  • 2 (dingbats) Australian/NZ delusions or feelings of unease, particularly those induced by delirium tremens.
  • 3a 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