moaning Minnie en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
Possibly from the French name Minié (for a soft lead bullet) or the German Minenwerfer, a type of trench mortar (WW I allusions), or simply because of the alliteration of the name with the participial adjective; see Martin, Gary (14 November 2022), “Moaning Minnie”, in Phrases.org.UK, retrieved 29 Nov 2022.
Meanings
-
(slang) A person who moans; a peevish complainer.
Don't you think that's the way to persuade more companies to come to this region and get more jobs—because I want them—for the people who are unemployed? Not always standing there as moaning minnies. Now stop it!
1985, Margaret Thatcher, remarks to Tyne Tees TV (11 September 1985) http://www.margaretthatcher.org/speeches/displaydocument.asp?docid=106127
- (historical, slang) An air raid siren.
- (historical, slang) A noisy rocket artillery piece (after 1944, the German Nebelwerfer).
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| moaning Minnies | Number=Plur | lexicographic |