Any informal British word for 'guzzler', please?

[Mehrgan]

Hi,

Is 'scoffer' a synonym?

 

[emsr2d2]

"Guzzler" is most definitely informal already! However, I wouldn't say that "scoffer" works. "Guzzle" suggests drinking liquid quickly, whereas we "scoff" food, not drink.

The phrase "gas-guzzler" for cars which use more than average amounts of petrol reflects the use of the word for liquids.

 

[Mehrgan]

Thanks a lot! I asked for a definite word because in Persian we would commonly call such people a 'moulinex'!!! (Obviously a coinage from the famous trade name Moulinex, and in this case an 'electric chopper'!'

 

[emsr2d2]

That's a great slang phrase!

 

[Tdol]

we "scoff" food, not drink.

Do you hear scoff used much nowadays? It seems to be a word from my childhood rather than current usage.

 

[probus]

I have rarely heard it in the last 25 years, but there is a current television program named Bitchin Kitchen. The presenter is Canadian and the program is produced in Canada, but she speaks with a mock New Jersey/Long Island accent.

Every time she tastes her culinary creations, she uses "shcoff" rather than "scoff". The show has survived for at least three years and is probably in syndication around the world.

So maybe scoff will make a comeback.

 

[Tdol]

It's a good word, so a comeback would be good.

 

[emsr2d2]

I tend to use it very informally (and frequently to my cat!).

Blimey, have you scoffed that lot already?
Let's scoff this and get out of here!

 

[SoothingDave]

I've never heard that sense of the word used. "Scoff" is used to express disbelief or derision. Like "they scoffed at the politician's claim to insure more people and save money at the same time."

"Scarf" is used informally for this type of quick voracious eating. It seems to be an American variant of "scoff."