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knob-gobbler

knob-gobbler

9.9
A silly person or an animal like a puppy that licks a lot
  • noun
  • Offensive
translation icon : [insulto informal por persona tonta]
  • Whenever treats are out, my spaniel turns into a true knob-gobbler.

Examples

  • He laughed as the puppy, a real knob-gobbler, slobbered all over his shoes.

  • My dog is such a knob-gobbler when he gets excited.

  • Don't be such a knob-gobbler; think before you speak!

  • Don't be a knob-gobbler and take things too seriously!

  • Whenever my dog sees food, he becomes a real knob-gobbler and can't stop licking the ground.

  • The kids thought it was hilarious when their friend acted like a knob-gobbler during the silly game.

  • After getting a treat, the puppy turned into a knob-gobbler, playfully licking everyone's hands.

Synonyms

licker
vsknob-gobbler
11 4.9

A person or animal that often touches things with their tongue

is excessive and playful and also used for a silly person
nibbler
vsknob-gobbler
3 7.2

A person or animal that eats small bites again and again

refers to licking rather than taking small bites and can mean a fool
potlicker
vsknob-gobbler
  • Informal
9.5

A person or animal that licks a cooking pot clean

is more general covering excessive licking and silly behaviour

How Silly

to clown
  • Informal
37 3.0
knob-gobbler
  • Offensive
9.9
goof
  • Informal
22 5.9
fool
  • Offensive
1.4

Surface Forms

knob-gobbler singular
knob-gobblers plural

Morphology

knob-gobbler = knob + gobbler (semi-transparent) = knob + gobbler

The components 'knob' and 'gobbler' are literal English words, but the compound is slangy and idiomatic so the precise meaning is not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Knob-gobbler is a playful slang compound of knob (a small round thing, like a door handle) and gobbler (one who 'gobbles' or eats quickly). A helpful way to remember it is to picture a puppy that greedily licks or 'gobbles' at every little thing, or a silly person who acts without thinking, which is why it names both a slobbering animal and a foolish person.