General
oxygen thief
What does oxygen thief mean?
A biting term for someone so useless or talkative they are merely wasting the air others could breathe.
"He hasn't done a lick of work all day, total oxygen thief."
Origin
U.S. and Commonwealth military slang.
Frequently asked questions
What does oxygen thief mean?
It is an insult for someone so useless or windbag-like that they are just wasting the air others could be breathing.
Where is oxygen thief used?
It is common in U.S. and Commonwealth military slang, though it has spread into wider casual use.
Is oxygen thief offensive?
It is a pointed insult but usually delivered as harsh humor rather than a slur, so it is more cutting than genuinely offensive.
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