Understanding "Stone-Deaf": A Look at the Idiomatic Expression and Its Origins

"Stone-deaf" is an idiomatic expression that means completely deaf or unable to hear. It is often used to describe someone who is profoundly deaf or hard of hearing, and may also be used figuratively to describe someone who is unable to understand or respond to something else, such as a person's words or a situation.

The phrase "stone-deaf" is thought to have originated in the 17th century, and is derived from the idea that a person who is deaf is as unresponsive as a stone. It is often used in a negative or derogatory way to describe someone who is perceived as being stubborn or uncooperative, but it can also be used more neutrally to describe someone who is simply unable to hear or understand something.