What does "Pen Pusher" mean?

Office worker (derogatory) British dismissive term for clerical workers who just push pens.

How do you use "Pen Pusher" in a sentence?

Just a pen pusher. Pen pushers in head office.

Pen Pusher

Slang Term British ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: Office worker (derogatory)

办公室文员（贬义）

Oficinista (despectivo)

事務員（軽蔑的）

사무직 (경멸적)

British dismissive term for clerical workers who just push pens.

英国对只是推笔杆子的文职人员的轻蔑说法。

Término despectivo británico para empleados administrativos que solo empujan bolígrafos.

ただペンを動かしているだけの事務職員を見下すイギリスの表現。

펜만 끄적거리는 사무직을 무시하는 영국식 표현.

Examples

Just a pen pusher.
只是个推笔杆子的
Solo es un chupatintas
ただの事務屋だ
그냥 사무직이지 뭐
Pen pushers in head office.
总部那些推笔杆子的
Los chupatintas de la oficina central
本社のお役所仕事の連中
본사의 서류만 밀어대는 놈들

Pronunciation

/pɛn ˈpʊʃə/

Usage Guide

Context: office work

Tone: dismissive

✓ Do Say

Criticizing admin
批评行政部门时使用
para criticar la administración
管理部門を批判するとき
행정직 비판 시

✗ Don't Say

To office workers
不要当面对文员说
No se dice delante de los oficinistas
事務員本人には使わないこと
사무직에게 직접

Common Mistakes

Mildly offensive

Origin & History

From the image of pushing a pen across paper.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: All classes

Pop culture: British bureaucracy

Regional notes: British.

Variations

Pen pusherPencil pusher