Kibitzer / noun / ki·​bitz·​er

Kibitzer is a noun we use in English to describe the characteristics of a person who regularly offers unwanted and unsolicited advice. In most cases, someone we see as a "kibitzer" is annoying and offers advice that they are unqualified to give that no one asked for. We first used Kibitzer in the early 19th century to denote an onlooker of a card game who is standing by offering advice to players that they don't need or want. A "kibitzer'' is an annoying person who seems to lack social skills and is unable to pick up on negative social cues.

In a Sentence

The "kibitzer" at the poker tournament repeatedly disrupted gameplay by overtaking the referee.

If you want to keep your sanity, stay away from that guy — he's a kibitzer!

No one wanted to invite the kibitzer to the party or other social events.

Etymology

Etymologists say the word "kibitzer" stems from either the Yiddish or the German language. In Yiddish, "kibitzer" denotes an onlooker of a card game who is offering unwanted or unwelcome advice. The definition of the word has remained consistent since its introduction. "Kibitzer" became popularized with its introduction into language in the early 19th century. We see the word show up in the English language in a widely read publication called "The Jewish Press" in 1918.

Synonym

Busybody, Buttinsky

Antonym

Participant, Student