kibitzing
Commenting from sidelines
Kibitzing is offering unsolicited advice or commentary, especially while watching others play cards, chess, or other games.
A kibitzer hovers over players' shoulders, second-guessing moves and making suggestions nobody asked for.
The term extends to any meddlesome commentary: Quit kibitzing and let me work.
More innocently, kibitzing can mean casual chatting or bantering.
Intrusive meddler
- buttinskyIntrusive meddler in others' affairs
- nosyIntrusively curious
- pryingIntrusively inquisitive
- intrusiveInvading others' privacy
meddlesome · snooping · interfering · interloping · overbearing · presumptuous · impertinent · obtrusive
Person who observes
- bystanderOne who observes nearby
- spectatorObserver at an event
- sidelineSecondary business pursuit
- watchingActively looking at something
gallery · backseat · looker-on · audience · observer · ringside · grandstand · bleachers
Not asked for
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- coachingGuiding others to improve
- opinionSubjective personal belief
- adviceGuidance on decisions
input · guidance · tip · recommendation · pointer · counsel · nudging · prompting
Spoken comment or note
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
- critiqueDetailed evaluative analysis
- quipBrief, clever remark
aside · wisecrack · interjection · bantering · heckling · needling · teasing · schmoozing
busybody
Intrusive meddler
intrusive · meddlesome · snooping · interfering · interloping · overbearing · presumptuous · impertinent · obtrusive · yenta
onlooker
Person who observes
watching · gallery · backseat · looker-on · audience · observer · ringside · grandstand · bleachers · crowd
unsolicited
Not asked for
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- coachingGuiding others to improve
- opinionSubjective personal belief
advice · input · guidance · tip · recommendation · pointer · counsel · nudging · prompting · steering
remark
Spoken comment or note
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
- critiqueDetailed evaluative analysis
quip · aside · wisecrack · interjection · bantering · heckling · needling · teasing · schmoozing
kibitzingplaying
Participating in recreation
participating · competing · performing · doing · acting
kibitzingkeeping quiet
Remaining silent
refraining · biting one's tongue · keeping mum · non-interference · saying nothing
kibitz, kibitzer, kibbitz, kibitzers, kibitzed, kibitzes, kibbitzed