wind-up merchant

Deliberate button pusher

A wind-up merchant is someone who deliberately provokes or teases others for amusement.

The term is British slang, combining wind-up (an act of teasing or provoking) with merchant (one who deals in something).

A wind-up merchant knows exactly which buttons to push: He's such a wind-up merchant—he had everyone in the office arguing about nothing.

Opposites

interpersonal intent

wind-up merchantpeacemaker

Conflict resolution agent

sincerity of provocation

Forthright, blunt person

social role in group dynamics

wind-up merchantpeacekeeper

One maintaining calm between rivals

Family