Dumb as an ox

Origin

For centuries, the ox has been revered for its immense strength and unwavering docility, making it an indispensable partner in farming and labor. Yet, these beasts of burden were never associated with intelligence; their purposeful, slow plodding became synonymous with a lack of quick wit. The word 'dumb' itself, initially meaning 'mute'—the inability to speak, common to all animals—evolved by the 18th century to also mean 'stupid.' This linguistic shift perfectly merged with the ox's reputation, creating a vivid, unflattering simile that captures the essence of profound foolishness: the brute force of an ox combined with a complete absence of intellectual agility.