One of many definitions concerning an otherwise rather amusing idiom reads as such: ”The idiom knuckle-dragger is a derogatory term often used to describe someone perceived as unintelligent, uncivilized, or primitive. It invokes the image of a person who is so unsophisticated that they walk hunched over, dragging their knuckles on the ground, akin to some primates.”
The above is then followed by a warning as to why one should be careful in its use. In short comparing people to monkeys is never a good look with often undesired consequences. Undoubtedly so when using the term as a noun but when used as an adjective describing behaviour rather than a person it becomes less offensive and far more to the point.
Knuckle-dragger behaviour and political populism are two sides of the same coin and appear to be the Achilles’ heel of affluent western democracy. One side seeing the world in black or white with simple solutions to everything and the other side fully aware of, yet ignoring life` s complexities and claiming to have all the solutions. In symbiosis they become a political power to be reckoned with where the void surrounding flag worship, a common denominator, is filled with xenophobia and general hatred of the ”different.”
Going down this road never ends well as recent history tells us. Anything from economic misery for a generation to geopolitical chaos or in a worst case scenario a highway to authoritarianism.
On the bright side it is all very educational.
