lemming

[ lem-ing ]

noun

1. any of various small, mouselike rodents of several genera including Lemmus, Myopus, and Dicrostonyx, of far northern regions, as L. lemmus, of Norway, Sweden, etc., noted for periodic mass migrations that sometimes involve crossing bodies of water. Incidental drownings that have occurred during such passage gave rise to the myth of mass suicides among supposedly frenzied lemmings jumping from cliffs into the sea.
2. a person who follows the will of others, especially in a mass movement, and heads straight into a situation or circumstance that is dangerous, stupid, or destructive:

   These lemmings that eat up conspiracy theories are so blinded by lies, they don’t even see the cliff they’re about to plummet over.

lemming

/ ˈlɛmɪŋ /

noun

1. any of various volelike rodents of the genus Lemmus and related genera, of northern and arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America: family Cricetidae. The Scandinavian variety, Lemmus lemmus, migrates periodically when its population reaches a peak
2. a member of any large group following an unthinking course towards mass destruction

Derived Forms

• ˈlemming-ˌlike, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lemming¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Norwegian; cognate with Icelandic lómundr “lemming,” læmingr “loon”; akin to Gothic laian “to revile,” Icelandic lā “to blame”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lemming¹

C17: from Norwegian; related to Latin latrāre to bark

Example Sentences

"This is the new narrative by all the lemmings in the mainstream media this week . . . Trump wants revenge and vengeance," Conway says during the broadcast.

From Salon

A week later, Trump was in California raising millions in campaign money from rich lemmings who are blindly following him over history’s cliff.

From Los Angeles Times

So, by the way, are the pathetic Republicans politicians who follow Trump like a horde of lemmings as he tries to lead the nation and the world over the cliff.

From Salon

But there was no fountain of youth back then, Brenner noted, and the latest claims of its existence are sure to ultimately disappoint the long lines of lemmings.

From Los Angeles Times

Republicans will never begin to chart a new course in California while they remain Trump lemmings.

From Los Angeles Times