pearl-clutching

American  

[purl kluhch-ing] / ˈpɜrl ˌklʌtʃ ɪŋ /

Or pearl clutching

noun

1. outrage or dramatic protest, especially from a woman, caused by something the person perceives as vulgar, in bad taste, or morally wrong but that does not elicit a similarly strong reaction from most other people.

   pearl-clutching over sexual jokes; so much fake pearl-clutching by the candidates.

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adjective

1. noting or relating to someone, especially a woman, who is easily offended or shocked by things the person perceives as vulgar, in bad taste, or morally wrong.

   pearl-clutching gasps from the audience; pearl-clutching conservatives.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pearl-clutcher
  noun
• pearl-clutch
  verb (used without object)

Etymology

Origin of pearl-clutching

First recorded in 2000–05; see origin at pearl ( def. ), clutch ¹ ( def. ), -ing ¹ ( def. ), -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

He criticised "pearl clutching and hypocrisy from people who should know better".

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

We see the persistence of this puritan impulse in what's sometimes referred to as "pearl clutching": a shocked, wide-eyed, disapproving stance of Oh, my!

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2022

Well, things have gone way beyond pearl clutching and weird.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2022

The debate was rife with pearl clutching about naughty words and shocking descriptions.

From Washington Post • Oct. 27, 2021

There has already been a great deal of pearl clutching over Mourinho, with a near-unanimous conviction he is not just a busted managerial flush but an unremittingly toxic agent.

From The Guardian • Nov. 21, 2019