What word describes someone who offers unsolicited advice?
For example I might write:
"At the risk of being called a [..........], I will offer you some unsolicited advice."
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2Not really serious, but how about mother-in-law? More seriously, I've never heard anyone say that they were going to offer unsolicited advice. In fact people who are inclined to offer unsolicited advice often do not realize they are doing so.– DanielAug 28, 2012 at 22:43
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7@DanielCook -- I know you didn't ask, but I think you might be mistaken.– Michael LortonAug 28, 2012 at 23:33
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It's actually not uncommon to say "dispenser/purveyor of unsolicited advice".– Neil CoffeyAug 29, 2012 at 3:22
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I wonder if the German word "Besserwisser" is ever used in English? It's been imported into some other languages, such as Swedish, and I think it would fit well here.– Thomas Padron-McCarthyAug 29, 2012 at 8:11
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8 Answers
I have also heard this as being a kibitzer
kibitz: To look on and offer unwanted, usually meddlesome advice to others.
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I like this definition even more: one who looks on and often offers unwanted advice or comment <a kibitzer at a card game>; broadly : one who offers opinions– DanielAug 28, 2012 at 22:54
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I don't see why... I listed that definition in my comment. The definition you'd already listed is also good.– DanielAug 28, 2012 at 23:13
I would suggest, backseat driver:
noun
(informal)
- a passenger in a car who offers unwanted advice to the driver
- a person who offers advice on or tries to direct matters that are not his or her concern
The word kibitzer suggested by others is also a good one. But, I've not heard it used in this sense outside of card games.
answered Aug 29, 2012 at 3:42
You could humorously refer to yourself as a buttinsky (sometimes spelled buttinski).
It is defined as:
a meddler who tends to butt in
Or try: quidnunc. It has the advantage of being fun to say. It means:
a nosy person; a busybody; a person who meddles in the affairs of others
I think offering unsolicited advice fits in the category of meddling.
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To me, a quidnunc is more someone who’s overly curious about what others are doing—not someone who gives opinions. It’s basically just someone who’s nosy. ‘Meddling’ in the quidnunc context to me means just prying, not actively trying to influence. Jun 13, 2014 at 10:19
A kibitzer is a legitimate spectator giving unwelcome advice; a buttinski interferes in matters that are none of her concern; a busybody might neither interfere nor give advice, but will snoop and gossip to third parties.
answered Aug 28, 2012 at 23:32
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1And a know-it-all (one word?) is a conceited person who imparts the correct way to do something, or other information, with a sense of smug superiority. No need to thank me, I'm happy to help.– BetaAug 29, 2012 at 13:44
smarty-pants: a person who talks and behaves like someone who knows everything
smart aleck: an obnoxiously and self-assertive person with pretensions to smartness and cleverness
wisenheimer: a wiseacre; smart aleck
wise guy: a cocksure, conceited, and often insolent person; smart aleck
know-it-all: a person that acts as though they had better knowledge or understanding than anyone else
Yenta—Yiddish for chronic intermeddler and one that meddles
I would like to suggest meddler.
From The Free Dictionary, to meddle is:
- To intrude into other people's affairs or business; interfere. See Synonyms at interfere.
- To handle something idly or ignorantly; tamper.
A person that feels the need to control or influence other people's lives can be called a meddler. I think unsolicited advice fits in perfectly with this definition.
