To think if someone’s stupid, it’s really hard to describe them without either being called out for being disablist or using an expletive?

[Windthebobbinup1982]

If I say moron, idiot, cretin etc. I risk being called disablist...
So I’m basically reduced to using words like dick, twat, cock etc... which you can’t really use in polite company...

Is there any noun to describe someone who's stupid without doing one or the other?

And by ‘stupid’, I don’t mean someone who is unintelligent, I mean someone who’s acting in a way that’s at odds with their intelligence.
I

How about Nerk, reminds me of a favourite sitcom Porridge.

I like what you said in your OP... acting at odds with their intelligence. I might use this, often!

Twonk
Wazzack (or Wassock as above)
but my favourite is Dickhead

Anyone who would call you a disablist for using those three particular examples you’ve given would need to give their head a wobble in my opinion.
None of those words are actively associated with their origins by anyone. I’m not denying their roots, just saying that they’re part of standard vocab these days without any disablist connotations (unless you’re looking for some)

I don't know, how about "stupid"?

But you can’t call someone a stupid.

Anyone who would call you a disablist for using those three particular examples you’ve given would need to give their head a wobble in my opinion.

It’s only since I’ve been on MN that I’ve been aware that quite a few are seemingly offended by nouns describing stupid people.

Foolish, twit, Dilbert, Rodney, daft happorth, thick as two short planks,

Wazzok.

Why is idiot or moron better than stupid?

What’s wrong with idiot?!?

I tend to use Muppet for acts of Muppetry.

So they’re playing dumb? Or goading?

I mean someone like Trump.... Based on his raw intelligence, he’s clever enough not to do the stupid stuff he does.... but he does it anyway because he’s a nincompoop (is that allowed?)

Call them a reject, plonker, dafty, thick as, plank, empty basket, pudding head, shithead, trash fire, loser of the gene war, asinine, foolish, numpty, tool, dipshit, shit for brains, fucknugget

All muppets here!

Divvy

A div

It seems there’s a third category of words...
the comedy type (nincompoop, muppet, twonk etc).... but I often don’t want a word that’s light-hearted. I want a word that’s not profane that shows that I view someone’s stupidity with a degree of contempt!

What sort of company do you keep where saying trump is a wanker is unacceptable 🤔

Anyways if I'm being polite, which is rare, I say muppet, but that tends to be more said with affection.

Not the crispiest chip in the packet?
Hard of thinking?

Numpty

In Ireland we’ve loads of words....gobshite, amadán (Irish for fool), eejit, gombeen

I just want a word that’s suitable in a work or similar situation that means what idiot or moron is generally held to mean, and has a level of seriousness to it, but without the disablist connotations.

Numpty.

A fool. That's all.

Bafoon. Not sure how it's spelled, though.
Irresponsible
Unreliable
Ridiculous
Useless
Liability
As much use as a chocolate teapot.
Hopeless
Incompetent
Inadequate.

I’m not denying their roots, just saying that they’re part of standard vocab these days without any disablist connotations (unless you’re looking for some)

Maybe that’s it... and I should just continue to use words like idiot and not feel bad about it, because no one uses that word synonymously with learning disabilities nowadays.

picklemepopcorn

But these are adjectives... I want a noun! Apart from Baffoon - I like that!