/ˈnɪni/
OriginUnknown; the synonym ninnyhammer appears around the same time. Possibly related to innocent or Italian ninno (“small child”).
- informalA silly or foolish person.
“Byd. […] a good cheeke, an inticing eye, a smooth skinne, a well shapt leg, a faire hand, you cannot bring a wench into a fooles parradize for you?
Sim. Not I by this garter, I am a foole, a very Ninn”
“Caliban: What a py'de Ninnie's this? Thou ſcvrvy patch: […]”
“"Nob, you woolly-pated ninny!" [Butterbur] cried. "Can't you give old friends their names?”
Formsninnies(plural)