pearl-clutching

Or pearl clutch·ing

[purl kluhch-ing]

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.

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pearl-clutching¹

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

Example Sentences

To some gamblers, the religious opposition may seem patronizing and overbearing, a bunch of pearl-clutching from hypocrites who demand, for themselves, personal liberty to spend their money as they please.

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After decades of debate about the Iranian nuclear program and months of pearl-clutching about the alleged imminence of World War III, the United States has devastated the illicit nuclear weapons program of a terrorist regime that chants “death to America” on a daily basis — without a single American casualty, without any extended American troop presence on the ground and with a quick post-strike ceasefire to boot.

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The pearl-clutching and political fear-mongering from Democrats was obviously overblown.

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Conservatives have since expanded their pearl-clutching to transgender adults—but often, it’s still under that same guise of protection.

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Walz in particular has used the line that Trump is “weird” to great effect, treating Trump’s brashness not with pearl-clutching indignation but cheeky Midwest derision.

Read more on Los Angeles Times