The short, handheld exercise weights are known as dumbbells, while the larger weights that require two hands for lifting are barbells. If you?re new to weightlifting, you might want to start doing bicep curls with light dumbbells. The name comes from the bar once used to ring a church bell: dumbbells resemble these ringers, although they?re dumb, or ?silent.? Dumbbell is also used in a derogatory way to mean ?stupid person.?