Dictionary

spooner en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /ˈspuːnɚ/

Etymology

From spoon + -er.

Meanings

1. (dated) One who spoons; one who engages in spooning. ▸ A person who engages in kissing and petting.
2. One who spoons; one who engages in spooning. ▸ A person who lies nestled against their partner in bed, back-to-front on their sides

Forms

Relateds

wooden spooner

spooner en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /ˈspuːnɚ/

Etymology

Back-formation from spoonerism

Meanings

1. To utter a spoonerism.
   • Which of the ruffians it was, or anything he contributed to our uplift, now wholly eludes my memory, but there and then, the young laird of Gartmore, fresh (as I mistakenly thought) from the pampas of the Argentine or Paraguay, won my heart by being slightly nervous in his speech, spoonering a phrase and evoking yokel laughter. 2009, Neil Munro, The Brave Days, page 315:
   • Horner couldn t possibly say things like that, especially the words he spoonered out instead of "moody-blinded," but Horner said respectfully couldn't care less. 1971, Henry Sturmey, H. Walter Staner, The Autocar:
   • Whisking along the north wing from interviewing the Secretary, his gown bellying out behind him like a black cloud, Tired Tim heard it, as he wondered for the fourth time if it had been quite in order for Miss Delaney to giggle when he had spoonered : "Will you please tell the Under-Matron to let all the maids off to see His Lordship the Bishop of Iona conduct a fornication in chapel at four o'clock. 1934, Bruce Marshall, Prayer for the living, page 43:
   • 'Grant us, through the grifts of Thy Gace...' spoonered an Episcopalian minister from the heights of the head table, and then it was announced that Dr. Bloch of the Department of Modern Languages would sing. 1975, Hecate - Volumes 1-3, page 79:
   • 'So, what's all the hush and rurry?' he spoonered. 1990, Garry Kilworth, Dark Hills, Hollow Clocks: Stories from the Otherworld, page 66:

Forms