Addlepated is the state of being confused or stupid. One becomes addlepated when they get themselves mixed-up and out of sorts. Addlepated derives from the terms addle (confuse) and pate (the human head or brain), thus addlepated means a confused head or brain. Addlepated can also mean eccentric – think of Miss Flite from Bleak House, she is a perfect illustration of an addlepated eccentric!
Addlepated is a fantastic descriptive term and one that is used quite a bit in literature (or at least in quite a few books I’ve read). Some examples would be “The holiday season always made her feel addlepated but she was excited about them all the same.” or “This hectic morning left me feeling quite addlepated!”. Addlepated is right up there with befuddled as words I love to use to describe a confused mindset.
Julie Andrews captures Eliza Doolittle’s addlepated mindset before Higgins went all Pygmalion on her perfectly with her expression here!
Addlepated is such a terrific word and let me tell you, with the intermittent Wifi connection I’ve been having this week I’ve certainly been having my own addlepated moments as I do my best to get work done piecemeal style!
Namaste ~ Ella
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Lawhimsy 