Word of the Day - Babbitt

[debodun]

Babbitt (noun) - a person, and especially a businessman, who conforms unthinkingly to prevailing middle-class standards.

The term Babbitt is derived from the surname of the American inventor who invented a metal alloy that is named for him.

 

[JimBob1952]

Babbitt (noun) - a person, and especially a businessman, who conforms unthinkingly to prevailing middle-class standards.

The term Babbitt is derived from the surname of the American inventor who invented a metal alloy that is named for him.

I thought it was derived from the novel of the same name, by Sinclair Lewis. Babbitt (first name George?) is the protagonist.

 

[debodun]

I thought it was derived from the novel of the same name, by Sinclair Lewis. Babbitt (first name George?) is the protagonist.

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/babbitt

 

[JimBob1952]

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/babbitt

From the same citation:

From Babbitt, the surname of George Babbitt, the title character of the novel Babbitt (1922) by the American author Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951).[2

 

[hollydolly]

New word for me today... first time I've heard the word Babbitt

 

[JimBob1952]

New word for me today... first time I've heard the word Babbitt

It's a very American word! I think of a Babbitt as a small town chamber of commerce member, wanting to boost the local economy and stamp out any nonconforming behavior that might be bad for business.

 

[Mizmo]

I can think of at least one person in my community who could be called a babbitt.

 

[Ruthanne]

I think it's the American dream to be a babbitt.

 

[Pappy]

Grandpa and me use to go Babbitt hunting. Sorry, it’s late and my mind has turned to mush..

 

[Michael Z]

I would have thought it was a baby rabbit.

 

[StarSong]

Never heard of it either. I looked it up and found this:

Created by Sinclair Lewis in the satirical 1922 novel Babbitt, he epitomized the unimaginative and self-important businessmen that Lewis found typical of the provincial cities and towns of America—and the word Babbitt quickly became a byname for one who adheres to a conformist, materialistic, unimaginative way of life. Despite his evident prosperity and status, Lewis’s protagonist remains vaguely dissatisfied with life and makes tentative attempts at rebellion; in the end, however, he finds his need for social acceptance greater than his desire for escape.

The babbitts at the local government meeting unanimously voted down the motion for a homeless shelter, lest their property values drop slightly.