What is the origin of the term "dumb blond"?

Answer 1

The TERM "dumb blond(e)" was popularized in the 20th century --esp through popular culture (including, but not beginning with Marilyn Monroe). I assume you're interested in where the whole IDEA came from.

Here's a good wikipedia link that suggests several possible origins:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/dumb_blonde

And here's my own summary and assessment of the suggestions:

1) YOUTH: The association of fair-hairedness with youth, therefore naivete, and perhaps a resulting tendency to treat adult blondes --who appear more like children?-- as young and simple. (I'm a bit skeptical of this explanation, at least as a central reason. I also know of no evidence that blonde women were typically treated as 'more simple' than other women.)

2) PROSTITUTES, PERFORMERS ETC:
The popularity of light-colored hair led many southern Europeans to dye theirs; this was especially common among courtesans and later prostitutes.
..a) Some suggest that this led society in general (perhaps esp. nervous or jealous wives) to ease their concern about such women by viewing them as 'beautiful...but not very bright' (and so, perhaps, less threatening?)
..b) Perhaps (my idea) some of these 'beautiful women' (not necessarily just prostitutes) THEMSELVES adopted a style and mannerisms that would make them appear younger, simpler, less threatening --which might make them BOTH more attractive to men AND less threatening to other women?
(Obviously, (a) and (b) could work together.)

3) BRAIN DAMAGE from BLEACH. The potency of old bleaches actually caused brain damage in some individuals, hence the image was encouraged by instances of genuinely daft blondes. (Intriguing idea, but I know of no documentary evidence for such cases or for any stories or stereotypes about them, esp. about dumb prostitutes.)

4) RECENT POPULAR CULTURE - portrayals in books, film...
...a) The popular 1925 Anita Loos novel (and shortly after that, play) *Gentlemen Prefer Blondes* featured a dumb-blonde songstress, fond of rich men and diamonds...
...b) The film portrayals by Marilyn Monroe and others BUILT on and spread this stereotype (Monroe, in fact, starred in the screen version of Loos's book.)

The last of these is the only one for which we have much hard evidence, and is probably enough of an explanation on its own.

But it's entirely possible that more than one of these "causes" worked TOGETHER. Even if Loos, and a group of blonde starlets established to stereotype, what suggested this image to her in the first place? At least the beauty/glamor part of it may have been rooted in the old European attraction to fair hair. Whether the "dumb" part was ALSO based on images (socially created or self-chosen) of the manner of such women or was more Loos's own creation to give interest to this bumpkin character -- a portrayal that then caught on-- is difficult to say. But the fact that this character was a simple country girl --DIFFERENT from the sophisticated beauties-- makes me tend to think that Loos herself should get the real credit.

(I have an older sister who is very bright, still blonde, and loves to send the rest of the family "dumb blonde" jokes. The point is that it has succeeded as a humorous stock CHARACTER ... and those who use it often do so for fun... NOT because of their deep-seated suspicion of the intellect of fair-haired women.)

Answer 2

The term, which technically should be "dumb blonde" came into vogue in modern times with the "dumb blonde" personas of actresses such as Marilyn Monroe, Suzanne Sommers, and Goldie Hawn (not a natural blonde) . Others like Dolly Parton used this image to further their careers (she sang a song called Dumb Blond).

But I believe the real origin has been found in recent archaeological excavations in Greece.

It seems a Greek soldier was walking along the Eridanos River
in Athens when he saw two beautiful blondes on the opposite bank of the river. Wanting to meet them, the soldier called out,
"Hello ladies. I want to come meet you. How do I get to the other side?" With a big smile one of the blondes replied,
" That's a silly question. You're already on the other side."

Answer 3

check it out on Wikipedia