Question

marplot \MAHR-plaht\

Accepted Answer

nounOne who frustrates or ruins a plan by meddling.[Beginning in the 17th century, people liked to prefix "mar-" to nouns to create a term for someone who mars, or spoils, something. A mar-joy was bad enough, but even worse was a mar-all. Although today the word "plot" often carries an implication of secrecy or ill intent, the "plot" used in the formation of "marplot" simply meant "a plan for the accomplishment of something." A marplot, therefore, can really mess up a perfectly good thing. The word may not have been invented by English playwright Susannah Centlivre, but it first surfaces in print in her 1709 play The Busy Body. That title refers to a character named Marplot, who misguidedly gets in the way of the lovers in the play.]"It was obvious that President Uribe, who certainly is no marplot, was looking for a fracas when he preemptively revoked Hugo Chavez's credentials to potentially negotiate a hostage swap." — From a release by the Council on Hemispheric Affairs reported by the States News Service, January 10, 2008

Marplot Plan Word Plot Mahr Plaht Noun Frustrates Ruins