“Knucklehead” is a great tune by the late jazz saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr.

It’s also a word appearing on New Jersey billboards, telling people to keep a safe distance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is not okay, according to NJ state senator Joe Pennacchio, who has CONDEMNED the vile language in a statement reading as such:

“I strongly condemn the flippant language the Governor has used in press conferences and on these signs. It is disrespectful to the citizens of New Jersey who have – and will continue to – make hard sacrifices to stop the spread of the coronavirus and save lives.

“The sophomoric language is unbecoming of the Governor, and certainly not fair to the people of New Jersey. Webster defines a knucklehead as a ‘stupid person.’ Is that what you think of sacrificing New Jersey citizens? Really?”

If I had to go out on a limb here, I’d say Phil Murphy is not referring to law-abiding, conscientious citizens as ‘stupid’ persons. He’s saying to not be a stupid person and follow the guidelines so that we all get through this pandemic sooner rather than later.

This really is some next-level pearl-clutching. On the spectrum of offensive words, “knucklehead” is akin to nasty terms like “scallywag,” “nincompoop,” and “dumb dumb.” These are not offensive terms.

Now, if New Jersey billboards said, “don’t be a fuck face, keep a safe social distance,” then Senator Joe Pennacchio would certainly have a case.