Kallikak

noun

Kal·li·kak

ˈkaləˌkak

plural -s

: a stupid person

rubber masks by means of which an ordinary citizen can transform himself into demon, witch … Kallikak, bumpkin—

Bernard Wolfe

compare jukes

Word History

Etymology

Kallikak, fictitious name of a family having one branch consisting mainly of intelligent and successful persons and another branch containing a large proportion of mentally deficient and immoral persons that was studied by H. H. Goddard †1957 American psychologist, from Greek kalli- calli- + kak- cac-