Street
gooseberry
What does gooseberry mean?
A third person present with a couple, making them a superfluous chaperone.
"I'm not coming, I don't want to play gooseberry."
Origin
British colloquialism from the 19th century; 'playing gooseberry'.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'gooseberry' mean in this sense?
It's the awkward third person tagging along with a couple who'd rather be alone.
How do you use 'gooseberry'?
Usually in 'play gooseberry', as in 'I don't want to play gooseberry on your date'.
Where does 'gooseberry' come from?
It's a 19th-century British colloquialism, long associated with the phrase 'playing gooseberry'.
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