Dictionary

head-scratcher en · NOUN

From head + scratcher. Literal sense from 1873, figurative from 1971.

(figuratively, informal) Something particularly puzzling or confusing.
- As nice as it is, the current American taste for that place (where Ellen DeGeneres lives) [Cotswolds] is a head-scratcher. 2025 August 23, Janan Ganesh, “How English costs the English”, in FT Weekend (Life & Arts section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 19:
- "A judge will decide what is the most logical, although I'm sure to some judges [freezing the body] will seem like science fiction and a wild scheme," McDonald said. "Other judges make think this is a good thing. It will be a head scratcher for the judge." 2002 July 14, “Attorney: Williams' Kids Near Compromise About Father's Remains”, in Fox News:
- Golden Globes nominations a head-scratcher 2007 December 14, “Golden Globes nominations a head-scratcher”, in Daily News Tribune:
(literally) A device used to scratch the head.
- Her aunt's husband or her grandfather brings a head scratcher. "If the maid scratched her hair or body with her fingers during these days of observance, her hair would fall out." 2004, Kelley Hays-Gilpin, Ambiguous Images: Gender and Rock Art, →ISBN, page 133:

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
headscratcher		alternative	lexicographic
head-scratchers	Number=Plur		lexicographic
head scratcher		alternative	lexicographic