Meldrew

/ ˈmɛldruː /

noun

1. informal.
   a person, esp a middle-aged or elderly man, who is habitually peevish, pessimistic, and cynical; curmudgeon

Derived Forms

• ˈMeldrewish, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Meldrew¹

C20: named after Victor Meldrew , curmudgeonly hero of the 1990s BBC television situation comedy One Foot in the Grave , written by David Renwick

Example Sentences

Mantle played Jean Warboys, the annoying friend of Victor Meldrew's wife, Margaret, in the BBC series.

From BBC

But after years of disappointing albums plagued with turgid stadium pop, it was just exciting to hear Eminem sound so fired up again – he makes for a very convincing Victor Meldrew.

From The Guardian

Mental health and lifestyle blogger Vix Meldrew, who counts herself as a big Kardashian fan, says the campaign is simply "a case of ignorance" towards the illness.

From BBC

The 80-year-old, best known for his role as Victor Meldrew in the BBC's One Foot In The Grave, had been due to reprise the role in a one-man show.

From BBC

"You are either serious or a kind of Victor Meldrew on stilts. Which one are you?"

From BBC