feather merchant

Definitions

1. 1

   A civilian.

   • But do you know that you are also a feather merchant-you and 120,000,000 other Americans? "Feather Merchants" is G.I. slang for civilians, and Max Shulman has done a book which points out why with a million irreverent, barbed laughs.
   • One more point, the aide says, also, this Arthur Zooks is not only the general's high-school classmate, but is a Very Important Person —in Feather Merchant circles.
   • "I think you're a goddamn feather merchant." When he saw that this had sort of stunned Lowell, he went on. "A word of advice, feather merchant: Don't try to take advantage of being the general's lady's golf pro and instructor in kraut."
2. 2

   Someone with a cushy job or without combat experience.

   • Everybody who works for a feather merchant knows where all the trouble is — at higher headquarters. At least, that's what the feather merchant says.
   • What's wrong? You feather merchants can't handle the mission?
   • Calling “Attention!,” our DI shouted, “That wasn't funny, you feather merchants!”
3. 3

   Someone who does not do worthwhile work

   Someone who does not do worthwhile work; someone who is more appearance than substance.

   • This gentleman was bred a feather merchant, and plumes himself upon his eloquence; but, on the present occasion, “the down of his feelings” (as Mr. Bran; don elegantly expresses it) was considerably ruffled by the hooting of his auditors.
   • The mayor said he doesn't want "feather merchants" to sell their products near schools.
4. ›+ 2 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A short man.

      • A standard joke among painters is that, "(this or that) feather-merchant is so short he needs a step-ladder to paint the baseboard."
      • The shortest, or the "Feather Merchants," as the smaller men were so inappropriately designated, brought up the rear.
   2. 5

      Used other than figuratively or idiomatically

      Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see feather, merchant. One who sells feathers.

      • Both ivory and ostrich feathers have lost much of their commercial importance during late years; but there are still feather merchants at Mogador who are in communication with all the districts of the Desert where the bird is found.
      • An ostrich farmer may sell to a feather merchant licensed under this Ordinance or may export from the Colony ostrich feathers obtained from domesticated ostriches kept by him.
      • He was the son of an upholsterer and feather merchant of St Clement's Lane, London.

The neighborhood