parish pump

parish pump
n (BrE)
a symbol of local affairs and a restricted attitude to wider issues. In the past, the parish pump was the source of water in a village, and so it became the place where people gathered to discuss problems, exchange news, etc:

parish pump gossip.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • parish pump — noun 1. The symbol of petty local interests 2. Parochialism • • • Main Entry: ↑parish * * * parish pump UK US adjective british old fashioned involving local people only, or interesting only for people in a particular area …   Useful english dictionary

  • parish-pump — [par′ish pump΄] adj. Brit. narrow or limited in scope or outlook; of only local interest or significance [parish pump politics] * * * …   Universalium

  • parish-pump — [par′ish pump΄] adj. Brit. narrow or limited in scope or outlook; of only local interest or significance [parish pump politics] …   English World dictionary

  • parish pump — adj [only before noun] BrE old fashioned concerned only with what happens in a small local area ▪ parish pump politics …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • parish-pump — | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective chiefly Britain : of local scope or purview : having a restricted outlook or limited interest : parochial smacked less of a serious schism than of a parish pump quarrel Times Literary Supplement * * * adj, always used… …   Useful english dictionary

  • parish-pump — /ˈpærɪʃ pʌmp/ (say parish pump) adjective local; parochial: *I have no time at all, fellow citizens and electors, for parish pump politics, thumb nail theorising and platitudinous ponderosity. –eric curry, 1940 …  

  • parish pump — /pærɪʃ ˈpʌmp/ (say parish pump) noun a pump forming the common water supply for a small rural community, regarded as the gathering place for gossip and a symbol of parochialism …  

  • parish pump — adjective (only before noun) BrE old fashioned concerned only with a small local area: parish pump politics …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • parish pump — UK / US adjective British old fashioned involving local people only, or interesting only for people in a particular area parish pump politics …   English dictionary

  • Parish Pump (CGA series) — Ancient men full of guile, bigotry and craftsmanship supping from chipped mugs at an ancient settle, they are long gone. No Parish Pump remains the same forever, and ours like all the others has had to change with the times. (Jan 72)Parish Pump… …   Wikipedia

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