Not Playing with a Full Deck (Origin)

What Is the Origin of the Saying "Not Playing with a Full Deck"?

The term "not playing with a full deck" means lacking intelligence. It is an adverbial phrase used to describe a person. For example:

• He is not playing with a full deck.

Examples of Use:

• Be easy on him. He's not playing with a full deck.
• That is a mad suggestion. I think you're not playing with a full deck.
• The old lady is talking to herself a lot. She's not playing with a full deck.

The "deck" in this idiom relates to a deck of cards. The idiom is one of several that have emerged since the 1950s to suggest that something is missing. It is, of course, a metaphor for part of the brain being missing. Other versions include:

• A sandwich short of a picnic
• A few fries short of a Happy Meal
• A few bricks shy of a load
• Only has one oar in the water
• The elevator doesn't go all the way to the top floor
• His cheese has slipped off its cracker
• A couple of beers shy of a six pack
• One prawn short of a cocktail

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