oddball

Definition

An eccentric or unusual person.

Etymology

Compound of odd + ball. First used in late 1930s, describing an extra ball played as a bonus in pin-ball type games. Well-attested since the 1940s, with the adjective appearing earlier than the noun.

Example Sentences

• "Miss Quinn thought that Oswald spoke Russian well in view of his lack of formal training; she found the evening uninteresting. Donovan, with whom she had a date later, testified that she told him that Oswald was “kind of an oddball.”"
• ""She's different, mister. A real oddball, if you know what I mean. But your little girl would love her. All kids love the Doll Lady.""