What does "Gooseberry" mean?

An unwanted extra person with a couple (British) British equivalent of 'third wheel.' Playing gooseberry means being the awkward extra person.

How do you use "Gooseberry" in a sentence?

I don't want to play gooseberry. Felt like a right gooseberry. Stop being such a gooseberry. Playing gooseberry again.

Gooseberry

Slang Term British ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: An unwanted extra person with a couple (British)

电灯泡（英式）

Un tercero no deseado con una pareja (británico)

邪魔者（イギリス式）

커플 사이의 끼인 사람 (영국식)

British equivalent of 'third wheel.' Playing gooseberry means being the awkward extra person.

英式说法，等同于'third wheel'。Playing gooseberry意思是当那个尴尬的多余人。

Equivalente británico de 'third wheel.' Playing gooseberry significa ser la persona extra incómoda.

'third wheel'のイギリス版。Playing gooseberryは気まずい余計な存在になること。

'third wheel'의 영국식 표현. 'Playing gooseberry'는 커플 사이에 어색하게 끼인 사람이 되는 것을 의미한다.

Examples

I don't want to play gooseberry.
我不想当电灯泡。
No quiero hacer de vela.
邪魔者になりたくない。
전등 되고 싶지 않아.
Felt like a right gooseberry.
感觉像个彻底的电灯泡。
Me sentí como una vela total.
完全に邪魔者みたいだった。
완전 전등 같았어.
Stop being such a gooseberry.
别当电灯泡了。
Deja de hacer de vela.
そんなに邪魔しないで。
그만 좀 끼어들어.
Playing gooseberry again.
又当电灯泡了。
Haciendo de vela otra vez.
また邪魔者だ。
또 전등이야.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡuːzbəri/

Usage Guide

Context: dating, social situations, awkwardness

Tone: self-deprecating, awkward

✓ Do Say

Playing gooseberry.
当电灯泡
Hacer de vela
邪魔者になる
전등 노릇 하기.
Felt like a gooseberry.
感觉像个电灯泡
Me sentí como una vela
邪魔者みたいだった
전등 같았어.
Right gooseberry.
彻底的电灯泡
Total vela
完全な邪魔者
완전 전등 신세.

✗ Don't Say

Very British
非常英式
Muy británico
とてもイギリス的
매우 영국적인 표현
Americans use 'third wheel'
美国人用'third wheel'
Americanos usan 'third wheel'
アメリカ人は'third wheel'を使う
미국에서는 'third wheel'을 사용

Common Mistakes

British term—Americans won't understand
Slightly old-fashioned

Origin & History

British expression from 19th century, possibly from gooseberries being picked by children while adults courted.

Etymology: Possibly from children picking gooseberries while adults courted

First recorded: British slang from 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages, slightly old-fashioned

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British expression; Slightly dated

Regional notes: British expression. Americans say 'third wheel.'

Variations

GooseberryPlaying gooseberryPlay gooseberry