pearl-clutcher
Theatrical morality performer
A pearl-clutcher is someone who reacts with exaggerated shock or moral outrage, especially over things others consider harmless or unremarkable.
The image is of a scandalized person gasping and clutching their pearls.
The term is dismissive, suggesting the reaction is performative or prudish: The pearl-clutchers are upset about the nude scene.
Excessively modest person
- bluenosePriggish moralistic person
- prigSmugly moralistic person
- strait-lacedExcessively proper and strict
- primAffectedly proper and stiff
proper · goody-goody · Victorian · puritanical · stuffy · squeamish · prissy · fussy
Feigning moral superiority
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- disapprovingExpressing unfavorable opinion
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
condescending · moralistic · priggish · hypocritical · scornful · disdainful · contemptuous · finger-wagging
Struck with horror
- appalledShocked by wrongness
- horrifiedIntensely shocked, disgusted
- scandalizedDeeply offended morally
- outragedExtremely angry, affronted
offended · gasping · wide-eyed · taken aback · indignant · affronted · shocked · dismayed
No longer in use
- fuddy-duddyOld-fashioned, overly fussy person
- traditionalistAdherent to established customs
- reactionaryAnti-progress political stance
- squareRhombus with right angles
behind the times · antiquated · fogey · stick-in-the-mud · dinosaur · relic · stodgy · unhip
prude
Excessively modest person
- bluenosePriggish moralistic person
- prigSmugly moralistic person
- strait-lacedExcessively proper and strict
prim · proper · goody-goody · Victorian · puritanical · stuffy · squeamish · prissy · fussy · uptight
sanctimonious
Feigning moral superiority
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- disapprovingExpressing unfavorable opinion
censorious · condescending · moralistic · priggish · hypocritical · scornful · disdainful · contemptuous · finger-wagging · tutting
aghast
Struck with horror
- appalledShocked by wrongness
- horrifiedIntensely shocked, disgusted
- scandalizedDeeply offended morally
outraged · offended · gasping · wide-eyed · taken aback · indignant · affronted · shocked · dismayed · speechless
outdated
No longer in use
- fuddy-duddyOld-fashioned, overly fussy person
- traditionalistAdherent to established customs
- reactionaryAnti-progress political stance
square · behind the times · antiquated · fogey · stick-in-the-mud · dinosaur · relic · stodgy · unhip
pearl-clutcherlibertine
One lacking moral restraint
free spirit · provocateur · iconoclast · nonconformist · hedonist
pearl-clutcheredgelord
Performative online transgressor
provocateur · man of the world · woman of the world · sophisticate · cynic
pearl, clutch, pearls, clutches, clutched, clutching, pearly, pearled, pearling