marplot
Synonym of spoilsport, one who ruins other's plans or enjoyment of something.
Adjective
- Ruining a plan, interfering, spoilsport.
- Let us argue the point with this pert, unruly, marplot conscience of mine… - 1792, Thomas Holcroft, Anna St. Ives, vol. V, letter 83:
Origin
From mar (“to spoil, to ruin”) + plot (“plan”). In earliest use as a character name in The Busie Body, by Susanna Centlivre, in 1709. Compare addle-plot.
Forms
Noun
- Synonym of spoilsport, one who ruins other's plans or enjoyment of something.
- “The old marplot has discovered the baby,” Monica whispered. “I suppose it cried and woke him up, and now he thinks he's witness to a miracle.” - 1920, Peter B. Kyne, chapter XI, in The Understanding Heart:
- Several classical texts relate that the mighty god Kung Kung (Common Work) [translating 共工 (Gònggōng)] plays the mythic role of the marplot, that is, one who seeks to destroy the cosmos.⁴¹ Chapter Three of Huai-nan Tzu...
- Unthinking Anglo-Saxons regard him as a Gallic marplot, rather than the great twentieth-century statesman he was – certainly the greatest Frenchman since Napoleon. - 2012, Michael Burleigh, “Keeping the Flame Alive”, in...
Synonyms: spoilsport one who ruins other's plans or enjoyment of something