blockhead, pinhead

[Bill Mullins]

I'm researching the earliest use of the carnival terms "blockhead" and "pinhead":

https://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/ads-l/2023-June/163696.html

If you know of any earlier examples in print, I'd like to know of them.

[MagicbyAlfred]

Bill, Here's an article from The Brooklyn Eagle, June 29, 1925, recounting how Zip the Pinhead saved a little girl from drowning in the Ocean at Coney Island.
https://www.newspapers.com/article/1712 ... ily_eagle/






t

[Bill Mullins]

Thank you. Unfortunately it doesn't actually use the word "pinhead".

[Joe Lyons]

There is use of the word "pinhead" in Jack Henderson Down South 1905 p. 72.

Although the chapter is entitled "A Carnival in Town", I don't think the use of the word has the context you're looking for.

Interestingly enough, the illustrator of the book is Marshall D. Smith.

[Diego]

I was going to suggest THE BILLBOARD magazine, but see you've already referenced it. Interesting to note the none-carnival ways those words were used, in derogatory ways in describing people, that the links in this thread list.
Those who still perform Blockhead like Todd Robbins or Tommy Breen, might have additional information.

[PressureFan]

I'll see if I can find my old report cards.

[Bill Mullins]

There is use of the word "pinhead" in Jack Henderson Down South 1905 p. 72.

You are correct in that this is not the usage I am looking for.

Interesting to note the none-carnival ways those words were used, in derogatory ways in describing people, that the links in this thread list.

Yes, "pinhead" as a generic insult, usually meaning "a stupid or foolish person" has been noted in the OED since as far back as 1896 (and could probably be found earlier than that).

As the linked post notes, I'm looking specifically for usages referring to person with microcephaly, usually in the context of carnival freaks, like as seen in Tod Browning's movie Freaks: Schlitzie (Simon Metz) and Pip and Flip, The Snow Twins (Jenny Lee Snow and Elvira Snow).

Those who still perform Blockhead like Todd Robbins

Interesting coincidence: The movie Freaks was based on a 1923 short story called "Spurs", written by Tod Robbins. Or maybe Todd Robbins is a stage name, selected in reference to this . . .