Dictionary

rent-a-gob en · NOUN

Etymology

From rent-a- + gob (“mouth”, slang), alluding to someone who will say anything in exchange for money.

Meanings

1. (UK, derogatory) Someone who regularly appears in the media, especially to stir controversy or self-aggrandize.
   • You don't want to be seen too much as a media tart, and as a rent-a-gob, because you just alienate all your colleagues. 2010, Chris Bryant MP, quoted by Aeron Davis, Political Communication and Social Theory, Routledge →ISBN, page 92
   • Katie Hopkins found fame on reality TV show The Apprentice. But unlike most former reality stars, who fade into obscurity after their 15 minutes in the spotlight, she's gone on to carve herself a successful career as an infamous rent-a-gob. 2014, Sedge Beswick, 140 Ultimate Twitter LOLs, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 94:
   • There would either be an obvious candidate for the splash story or you would be desperately scrambling the phones, suggesting interviews with the local rent-a-gobs on the council who you knew would say something controversial, if lacking in substance. 2008, John Stoneman, The Road from Wembley, Troubador Publishing Ltd, →ISBN, page 153:

Forms

Synonyms

rent-a-mouth