Church Lady
Judgmental religious stereotype
Church Lady describes a woman, typically middle-aged or older, who is conspicuously pious and judgmentally moralistic.
The term evokes someone who monitors others' behavior, clucks disapprovingly at perceived sins, and takes satisfaction in her own righteousness: She gave me that church lady look when I ordered a second glass of wine.
Popularized by a 1980s Saturday Night Live character, it now applies to anyone—regardless of gender—who displays smug, sanctimonious disapproval.
- primAffectedly proper and stiff
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
- SundayFirst or seventh day
- Sunday bestFinest clothing, special occasions
- pewWorship hall seating
gossip · Dana Carvey · SNL · sanctimonious · prudish · holier-than-thou · congregation · choir · busybody · pearl-clutching · well I never · hat · gloves · hymnal · disapproving · Satan · tsk-tsk · wagging finger
Church Ladylibertine
One lacking moral restraint
hedonist · sinner · free spirit · reprobate · freethinker
Church Ladyrebel
Authority defier
nonconformist · bohemian · punk · hippie · outlaw
Church Ladyskeptic
One who doubts claims
atheist · agnostic · rationalist · nonbeliever · freethinker
church, lady, churches, churched, churchly, churchgoer, ladies, ladylike, ladyship