thumbsucker

English

Etymology

thumb +‎ sucker, suggesting the ignorance of a thumb-sucking child who needs things explained.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

thumbsucker (plural thumbsuckers)

1. Someone who sucks their thumb.
2. (US, slang) A piece of serious journalism that explains the background of current events and interprets them in a manner comforting to the intended readers.

See also

• think piece