meddler
nounUK /ˈmɛdlə(ɹ)/ · US /ˈmɛdlɚ/
Etymology From Middle English medlere, medelere, equivalent to meddle + -er.
1
One who meddles or interferes in something not of their concern.
- The prudent man is not willing to ſubject himſelf to any responſibility which his duty does not impoſe upon him. He is not a buſtler in buſineſs where he has no concern; is not a meddler in other people’s affairs; is not a profeſſed counſellor or adviſer, who obtrudes his advice where nobody is aſking it.1790, Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments; […] In Two Volumes, 6th edition, volume II, London: […] A[ndrew] Strahan; and T[homas] Cadell […]; Edinburgh: W[illiam] Creech, and J. Bell & Co., →OCLC, part VI, section I (Of the Character of the Individual, so far as It Affects His Own Happiness; or of Prudence), page 59:
- “Yes, Mr. Coleman, I have,” answered Luke steadily. “I thought it my duty to inform this man of your character. I have advised him to put his money into a savings-bank.” “Curse you for an impertinent meddler!” said Coleman wrathfully. “I’ll get even with you for this!” “You can do as you please,” said Luke calmly.1868, Horatio Alger, Struggling Upward:
1 more example
- “Stop!” The hoarse, oddly alien voice of the Swami held a tone beyond all mere earthly fright “I told you there was another form of proof which I could give if necessary, and I warned you not to provoke me to it. This red-faced old meddler is right; I’m not really an East Indian. This face is a mask, and what it covers is not human.”1934, H. P. Lovecraft, Through the Gates of the Silver Key, chapter 8:
- Synonyms
- busybody, kibitzer, marplot, nosey parker
- Related terms
- gatecrasher, interloper, peeping tom, persona non grata, encroacher, backseat driver, intruder, buttinsky, ultracrepidarianism