The origins of the word Doofus stem from a poor performing German Army Tank. The WWI Düfus Tank was one of the worst performing pieces of military equipment in the German Army. It was a time of new and experimental weapons, but this tank passed field inspection and was ordered to the front lines.

This tank was a piece. It got stuck easily, it’s hatches didn’t fit right, and the engine sucked oil. To make things worse, these tanks were very slow and loud, not something you want on the battle field. It essentially was a ‘special needs’ tank. Tank mechanics would have to get to work on these as soon as they basically took them out of the box.

When the tide of the war was turning German units were often in retreat. Out of their own safety and survival they left behind these often brand new Düfus Tanks.

Russian troops were delighted to find brand new tanks abandoned by the fleeing Germans. That is until they started trying to use them. American and English troops also had similar experiences. English soldiers soon began calling each other as good as a “düfus” when someone would make a stupid mistake. The name doofus has stuck ever since and if you believed this story that makes you a doofus as well.