belcher

¹ American  

[bel-cher] / ˈbɛl tʃər /

noun

1. something that emits contents violently or abruptly.

   His old, rusty car was a smoke belcher that polluted everywhere it went.

2. a person unusually prone to or skilled at ejecting stomach gas abruptly and noisily through the mouth.

   My kid is a belcher, but we've been trying to teach him not to do it in public.

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belcher ² American  

[bel-cher] / ˈbɛl tʃər /

noun

1. a handkerchief, especially a spotted one, often worn around the neck.

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Etymology

Origin of belcher¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; belch ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Origin of belcher²

First recorded in 1800–10; named for after English bare-knuckle boxer James Belcher (1781–1811)

Example Sentences

Coal, the carbon belcher of fossil fuels, still powers a third of the world’s electricity, despite rapid expansion of renewables.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

In a rare about-face, Mr. Viñoly appeared worn down by the London quarrels over the project and eventually stepped aside — frustrated over the affection for the old smoke belcher.

From Washington Post • Mar. 4, 2023

"Elizabeth is also a good belcher," said her husband, "so they had competitions, but Sandy nearly always won for number and volume."

From Time Magazine Archive

"In pain and confusion," declared the Lancet, British medical weekly, in reporting the case of this fiery belcher this month, "he had hurriedly to leave the cinema."

From Time Magazine Archive

The latter, instead of replying, took out a vivid belcher handkerchief, and apologetically mopped his face.

From The Broad Highway by Farnol, Jeffery