momzilla

See also: Momzilla

English

WOTD – 9 December 2020

Etymology

From mom +‎ -zilla (suffix forming nouns suggesting a monster or a thing of extremely large size or great destructiveness, from the fictional monster Godzilla).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /mɒmˈzɪlə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /mɑmˈzɪlə/
• (Canada) IPA^(key): /mʌmˈzɪlə/
• Rhymes: -ɪlə
• Hyphenation: mom‧zil‧la

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Noun

momzilla (plural momzillas)

1. (Canada, US, humorous, informal) A controlling or overinvolved mother.
   • [1996 November, Kurt B. Reighley, “Congo Norvell: Music to Disremember Him by”, in Scott Frampton, editor, CMJ New Music Monthly, number 39, Great Neck, N.Y.: College Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 19, column 1:

     "I've definitely got more boy energy going on right now," she [Sally Norvell] admits. "For one thing, I've got a four-year-old boy who I have to run around and play Godzilla with all day long." She chuckles. "I'm Momzilla."

     A nonce use.]

   • 2002, Elisa Morgan, Carol Kuykendall, “Monster Mom: Real Moms Get Angry”, in Real Moms: Exploding the Myths of Motherhood, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, →ISBN, part 1 (Myths about Me), page 55:

     I tried to breathe, but it was too late. Momzilla had emerged. I could feel her low rumbling growl as she straightened up that last nerve. [...] Momzilla heard the children in the background promising never to be clowns again if Mommy would just come back. Momzilla took a slow deep breath, and then another. As Momzilla returned to the cage that I keep her in, I noticed how cute my little clowns were.

   • 2005, Judith Newman, You Make Me Feel Like an Unnatural Woman: The Diary of a New Mother, New York, N.Y.: Miramax Books, →ISBN, page 70:

     It's never too early to become a Momzilla. Momzillas are mothers whose lives are defined by their children, and more specifically, by their children's accomplishments.

   • 2006, Sheri Lynch, “The Surly Llama”, in Be Happy or I’ll Scream!: My Deranged Quest for the Perfect Husband, Family, and Life, New York, N.Y.: St. Martin’s Griffin, published February 2007, →ISBN, page 62:

     It was embarrassing and stupid and yet, once bridezilla became momzilla, no power in the Universe could derail me from my mission of toddler birthday terror.

   • 2009, Karen Quinn, “Elliott”, in The Sister Diaries, London: Pocket Books, →ISBN:

     Serena's transformation from sexy executive to momzilla had been swift and ugly. The more involved she became with the children, the more she squeezed him out of their lives.

   • 2014, J[udith] A[nn] Jance, “A Last Goodbye: An Ali Reynolds Novella”, in Moving Target: […], 1st Touchstone hardcover edition, New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, →ISBN:

     In the past, Ali had found the term "bridezilla" mildly amusing, but when it came to dealing with an Edie who had suddenly morphed into what could only be called the bride's "momzilla"? That wasn't amusing in the least.

   • 2015, Sheila Roberts, chapter 1, in A Wedding on Primrose Street, Don Mills, Ont.: Mira Books, →ISBN, page 9:

     But difficult clients did suck some of the joy out of her job. Everyone talked about Bridezillas, but in Anne's opinion Momzillas were ten times worse. And she was sure Seattle had ten times more Momzillas per capita than any other city in the country.

Alternative forms

• Momzilla

Translations

controlling or overinvolved mother

See also

• helicopter parent