Etymology Journal · H

He's a couple sandwiches short of a picnic

Meaning

This is a gentle, humorous way to say someone is not very bright. It implies they are missing some essential components to function at full capacity.

Sarcastic, folksy

Don't worry about his grumpy comments, he is a couple sandwiches short of a picnic.
That plan will never work, he is a couple sandwiches short of a picnic.
I think he forgot his shoes again; he is a couple sandwiches short of a picnic.

This became popular in the 1980s as part of a trend of colorful, food-based insults. It is meant to be slightly kinder than saying someone is stupid.

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