The Grammarphobia Blog: Gob on a stick

Are you a retiree who enjoys browsing through the website Ask a Manager to keep up with workplace happenings? Recently, a post from a Brit caught your attention when they described a job recruiter as a “typical gob on a stick.” Although unfamiliar with the expression, you sensed it was used playfully rather than maliciously.

The slang term “gob on a stick” is a relatively new addition to British English, originating in the late 20th century and not yet included in standard or slang dictionaries.

The term “gob” historically refers to the mouth, making “gob on a stick” literally mean a “mouth on a stick.” In the UK, it generally implies someone who talks excessively, particularly a prominent broadcaster or “talking head.”

The Oxford English Dictionary suggests that the use of “gob” to mean mouth likely originated in Celtic languages and transitioned into English from regions like Ireland and Scotland.

Originally, the Celtic word “gob” was likely onomatopoeic in nature, reflecting the action of opening one’s mouth wide while speaking.

Although “gob” initially meant a mass or lump in the 14th century, it later evolved to denote the mouth or a slimy substance like phlegm during the 16th century.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, various literary works from Scotland and northern England utilized “gob” to refer to the mouth in a derogatory or descriptive manner.

The modern slang expression “gob on a stick” emerged in the 1990s, often used humorously or self-deprecatingly by broadcasters, including well-known figures like Terry Wogan and Simon Hill.

Whether describing oneself or others, “gob on a stick” can carry negative connotations of excessive talkativeness, but it is frequently employed in a light-hearted manner within broadcasting circles.

In his memoir, British football commentator Simon Hill reflects on his career, embracing the title of “just a gob on a stick” with gratitude for the role of football in his life.

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