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Glite Dictionary
pearl-clutcher

pearl-clutcher

9.9
A person who is easily shocked and loudly says things are wrong
  • noun
  • /ˈpɜrlˌklʌtʃər/
  • Offensive
translation icon : mojigato
  • The idea that people should be able to form a legal family just by declaration (having met the qualifications for doing so) is so obviously the right way to do it, but the maudlin pearl clutchers will never let go of their church-controlled "marriage."

Examples

  • The real pearl-clutchers in all this are the folks who are so afraid of taking any risk of influencing the election that they won't stand up for principle.

    Blog text (13)

  • The pearl-clutcher was aghast at the new movie's explicit content.

  • Everyone rolled their eyes at the pearl-clutcher who complained about the couple's public display of affection.

  • Her pearl-clutcher personality made her voice rise in outrage when she heard the controversial joke.

Synonyms

pearl-clutchy personality
vspearl-clutcher
  • Offensive
9.9

Being easily shocked and disapproving of things other people find normal

is more overly prim and shows exaggerated moral outrage

How Shocked

pearl-clutcher
  • Offensive
9.9
prude
  • Offensive
35 6.6
sensitive
1 4.4

Surface Forms

pearl-clutcher singular
pearl-clutchers plural

Morphology

pearl-clutcher = pearl + clutch (semi-transparent) = pearl + clutch + er

The components 'pearl' and 'clutch' are clear, but the idiomatic metaphor 'one who clutches pearls' (i.e., easily shocked or prim) may not be obvious to learners without cultural knowledge.

Etymology

Pearl-clutcher comes from the image of someone clutching a pearl necklace when shocked, and clutch means 'to grab'. So a pearl-clutcher is a person who is easily shocked and shows too much moral outrage.