Dictionary

rat-licker en · NOUN

Etymology

From the urban myth that people in the Middle Ages licked rats to ward off the bubonic plague.

Meanings

1. (derogatory, neologism) A person who refuses to take preventative measures during a disease outbreak (especially the COVID-19 pandemic).
   • Less open-minded critics branded it a “rat licker rally” warning others to beware of the “tin foil hat brigade”. Meanwhile, the protesters themselves disputed whether they were demonstrating against the vaccine passport or the vaccine itself. 2021 July 25, “Time to jab anti-vaxxers mass rallies”, in Sunday Mirror, London, page 12:
   • > I'm the kind of person who prefers to stay indoors. good to know you ain't no rat-licker: [link to the Urban Dictionary entry of “rat-licker”] 2020 August 17, Nikolai Kingsley, “Re: Find the edge of the 5km quarantine limit and stand on it”, in talk.bizarre (Usenet):
   • I think the solution to your dilemma is obvious. You need to go swap some hot, dank, virus-heavy air with an overly clingy group of rat lickers. 2020 December 25, “The Luv Doc: An Established Tradition: It's really hard to stab someone to death with an icicle”, in The Austin Chronicle:

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