kibitz
Give unsolicited advice
To kibitz is to watch others engaged in an activity—especially a card game or chess match—while offering unsolicited advice or commentary.
The word carries a sense of meddling or butting in where you weren't invited: Stop kibitzing and let me play my own hand.
A kibitzer is someone who does this habitually.
The term extends beyond games to any situation where someone offers unwanted opinions from the sidelines.
Light, rapid speech
- schmoozeChat to gain favor
- gabLight, meaningless talk
- chitchatInformal light conversation
- small talkPolite trivial conversation
quips · wisecrack · jokes · repartee · gossip · confab · jaw · kibbitzer
Obstruct or meddle uninvited
unsolicited · overstep · busybody · nosey · meddlesome · intrusive · interject · interrupt
Chat to gain favor
- kvetchHabitual grumbler
- chutzpahShameless, admirable audacity
- noshCasual small meal
- menschPerson of noble character
maven · yenta · shtick · schmaltz · klutz · kosher · kvell · nu
Offer an idea indirectly
- coachOne who instructs
- counselExpert guidance offered
- backseatVehicle's rearward passenger area
- unsolicitedNot asked for
opinions · tips · pointers · guidance · input · recommend · second-guess · armchair
Observer at an event
- sidelinesField boundary lines
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
- analysisMethodical study of parts
opening · endgame · gambit · strategy · commentary · backseat · unsolicited · checkmate
chatter
Light, rapid speech
small talk · quips · wisecrack · jokes · repartee · gossip · confab · jaw · kibbitzer · socialize
interfere
Obstruct or meddle uninvited
uninvited · unsolicited · overstep · busybody · nosey · meddlesome · intrusive · interject · interrupt · impose
schmooze
Chat to gain favor
mensch · maven · yenta · shtick · schmaltz · klutz · kosher · kvell · nu · oy
suggest
Offer an idea indirectly
unsolicited · opinions · tips · pointers · guidance · input · recommend · second-guess · armchair · sideline
spectator
Observer at an event
- sidelinesField boundary lines
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
analysis · opening · endgame · gambit · strategy · commentary · backseat · unsolicited · checkmate · club
- Yiddishchutzpah, kvetch, mensch, schlep, tchotchke
- AshkenaziYiddish, shtetl, klezmer, gefilte fish, challah
- Jewish comedyBorscht Belt, Jerry Seinfeld, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Larry David
- meddlingmeddle, meddler, butt in, horn in, intrude
- JewishTorah, Shabbat, kosher, rabbi, synagogue
- German Loanwordsangst, blitzkrieg, doppelganger, gesundheit, kaput
kibitzmind one's own business
Refrain from prying
hold one's tongue · keep mum · listen · keep quiet · bite one's tongue