fence sitter

English

Etymology

fence +‎ sitter, from the verb sit on the fence.

Noun

fence sitter (plural fence sitters)

1. One who takes neither side of an argument or controversy, but maintains a neutral position.
2. (potentially offensive) One who is bisexual, or who is uncertain about their sexual orientation.
   • 2007, Adrian Tomine, Shortcomings (graphic novel), →ISBN, page 65:

     What...? EW. You scored with the fence-sitter?

Related terms

• on the fence

Translations

one maintaining neutral position

• Esperanto: neŭtralisto
• Italian: attendista m or f
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Korean: 회색분자 (ko) (hoesaekbunja)
• Portuguese: "em cima do muro"
• Russian: наблюдатель (ru) m (nabljudatelʹ), "моя хата с краю" ("moja xata s kraju") (idiomatic)

one who is bisexual, or who is uncertain about sexual orientation

• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}