the.com/killjoy
The one person always ready to remind the room that fun has consequences.
means A person who spoils others' enjoyment or enthusiasm, often by pointing out problems, risks, or reasons to stop.
from A straightforward compound from the 1700s, built exactly as it sounds: 'kill' plus 'joy.' English loves making nouns this way — think 'spoilsport' or 'wet blanket' — stitching together a verb and its victim into one blunt little job title. No hidden language, no buried myth, just two plain words doing exactly what they say on the tin.
- origin
- Literally means someone who kills joy, 1700s English
- social role
- Often just the only sober person present
- synonym
- Wet blanket, party pooper, buzzkill
- secret truth
- Usually just correct, which is the real insult