Definition

A person who discourages enthusiasm, dampens spirits, or inhibits fun by being pessimistic, overly cautious, or dampening the mood of others. The term refers to the metaphorical act of throwing a wet blanket on a fire to extinguish it, applied to someone who stifles excitement.

Example Usage

Mark was being a real wet blanket at the party, complaining about the noise and asking when people would leave.

Origin

From the literal image of a wet blanket extinguishing flames; the metaphorical sense emerged in American English in the 1870s.

Fun Fact

The phrase has evolved beyond personal descriptions—companies and critics often use 'wet blanket' to describe regulations or policies that stifle innovation or joy.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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