knocker

[nok-er] /ˈnɒk ər/
noun
1.
a person or thing that knocks.
2.
a hinged knob, bar, etc., on a door, for use in knocking.
3.
Informal. a persistent and carping critic; faultfinder.
4.
Slang: Vulgar. a female breast.
Idioms
5.
on the knocker, British Slang. canvassing or selling door-to-door.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English; see knock, -er1
Examples from the web for knocker
  • Knocking someone down in such harsh terms without any explanation or definitions does not elevate the knocker.
  • The bottom edge is called a knee-knocker but really it should be called an ankle smasher or foot catcher.
  • There was no doorbell or knocker outside the outer door.
  • The door has elaborate curling strap hinges and other ornamental hardware including a metal knocker in the shape of a human hand.
British Dictionary definitions for knocker

knocker

/ˈnɒkə/
noun
1.
an object, usually ornamental and made of metal, attached to a door by a hinge and used for knocking
2.
(informal) a person who finds fault or disparages
3.
(usually pl) (slang) a female breast
4.
a person or thing that knocks
5.
(Austral & NZ, informal) on the knocker, promptly; at once: you pay on the knocker here
Word Origin and History for knocker
n.

late 14c., agent noun from knock. Sense of "door banger" is by 1590s. Knockers "a woman's breasts" is slang attested from 1941.

Slang definitions & phrases for knocker

knocker 1

noun

A consistently negative critic; detractor: that pack of knockers that have been howling (1898+)

Related Terms

apple-knocker


knocker 2

noun

A very important person; big shot, macher: Knocker means a big shot, either real or imagined, and you pronounce that first ''k''

[1960s+; fr Yiddish, literally ''one who cracks or snaps a whip'']