idiot's lantern

English

Noun

idiot's lantern (plural idiot's lanterns)

1. (UK) A television set.
   • 2007, Mark Paxton, The Essential Buyer's Guide: Citroën 2CV, Veloce Publishing, page 51:

     The idea of restoring a car is very tempting on many levels, whether it is the sense of achievement in having saved a 2CV from the scrap man, the acquiring and exercising of new skills, better use of your time than hours glued to the idiot's lantern or last but not least, the chance to save some hard earned money.

Synonyms

• (television set): boob tube, goggle box, idiot box