parish-pump
Small-town politics only
Parish-pump describes concerns that are narrowly local and parochial, often used dismissively for politics focused on petty neighborhood matters rather than broader issues: parish-pump politics, parish-pump mentality.
The image is of villagers gathering at the communal water pump to gossip about local affairs.
Chiefly British.
Narrow in outlook
- small-townLimited local outlook
- narrowOf small width
- pettyOf little importance
- provincialRegional or narrow-minded
myopic · blinkered · shortsighted · limited · inward-looking · clannish · small-minded · hidebound
Small rural community
- neighborhoodResidential area nearby
- localsArea's permanent inhabitants
- townshipCounty's smaller division
- residentsPeople living somewhere
folk · communal · settlement · villagers · townsfolk · hamlet · borough · homestead
Elected local representative
- bylawInternal governing rule
- agendaFormal discussion list
- committeeAppointed group for duties
- wardProtected person; division
precinct · canvassing · grassroots · ratepayer · planning · zoning · alderman · minutes
insular
Narrow in outlook
- small-townLimited local outlook
- narrowOf small width
- pettyOf little importance
provincial · myopic · blinkered · shortsighted · limited · inward-looking · clannish · small-minded · hidebound · localist
village
Small rural community
- neighborhoodResidential area nearby
- localsArea's permanent inhabitants
- townshipCounty's smaller division
residents · folk · communal · settlement · villagers · townsfolk · hamlet · borough · homestead
councillor
Elected local representative
ward · precinct · canvassing · grassroots · ratepayer · planning · zoning · alderman · minutes · ballot
tittle-tattle
Trivial, idle chatter
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- whisperingBreathy, near-silent speech
- chitchatInformal light conversation
hearsay · busybody · natter · small-talk · rumor · grapevine · nosy · meddling
parish-pumpnational
Of a country
international · global · nationwide · continental · geopolitical
parish-pumpcosmopolitan
Culturally sophisticated, internationally fluent
worldly · broad-minded · outward-looking · globalist · universalist
pump, parish, pumps, pumped, pumping, parochial, parishes, pumper, parishioner