[Gracey]

....is that the wingnuts have gained the ascendency and have driven more and more levelheaded, civil posters off the forum in disgust.

Well stated. I understand "wingnuts" but from whence came the word? Are there nuts on the far outer end of wings?

[quidnunc]

Gracey wrote: (....is that the wingnuts have gained the ascendency and have driven more and more levelheaded, civil posters off the forum in disgust.) Well stated. I understand "wingnuts" but from whence came the word? Are there nuts on the far outer end of wings?

An actual wingnut is a nut with two projections (wings) which allow it to be tightened with the fingers.

I don't know who applied the term 'wingnut' to those on the radical right, but it was certainly a bon mot.

Those on the loony left are mostly referred to as moonbats.

[TBP]

I understand "wingnuts" but from whence came the word?

From RINOs trying to shut off debate.