gomer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Highly specialized slang, low frequency in general language)Informal/Slang, Potentially Offensive; Technical (military context)
Quick answer
What does “gomer” mean?
An elderly or confused patient, typically one with multiple chronic conditions, regarded by medical staff as a poor candidate for recovery (medical slang).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An elderly or confused patient, typically one with multiple chronic conditions, regarded by medical staff as a poor candidate for recovery (medical slang).
More broadly, a term for a foolish, inept, or annoying person; also a specific type of artillery projectile (GOing-away MERcury radar target).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The medical slang sense is documented primarily in US medical culture. The 'foolish person' sense is almost exclusively US informal usage. The military projectile term is standard in relevant forces globally.
Connotations
Strongly negative and unprofessional in medical contexts; mildly derogatory but sometimes affectionate in the general 'fool' sense.
Frequency
Very rare in UK English outside specific military circles. Low frequency even in US English, confined to specific subcultures.
Grammar
How to Use “gomer” in a Sentence
The [medical staff] labelled the patient a gomer.Don't be such a gomer.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gomer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not used as an adjective.
American English
- Not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used in formal writing; may appear in sociolinguistic studies of medical jargon.
Everyday
Rare; if used, it's the US informal sense meaning 'fool'.
Technical
Medical slang (US); military terminology for a specific radar target projectile.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gomer”
- Using it in formal or professional medical communication.
- Assuming it is a standard, acceptable English word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is considered derogatory, dehumanizing, and a violation of professional ethics and respect for patients.
It is popularly thought to be an acronym for 'Get Out of My Emergency Room', but linguists believe it likely originated from the character 'Gomer Pyle' in US pop culture, representing a naive, simple person.
No. All its senses are neutral at best (technical military term) or negative (medical and general slang).
No. Learners should be aware of its meaning due to its presence in some TV shows (e.g., medical dramas), but it should not be actively added to their productive vocabulary because of its offensive nature in its most common context.
An elderly or confused patient, typically one with multiple chronic conditions, regarded by medical staff as a poor candidate for recovery (medical slang).
Gomer is usually informal/slang, potentially offensive; technical (military context) in register.
Gomer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡəʊmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡoʊmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Gomer pile (medical slang for a group of such patients)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Get Out of My Emergency Room' (a common, though apocryphal, backronym for GOMER in medical slang).
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A BURDEN (medical slang); A PERSON IS A WORTHLESS OBJECT (general slang).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'gomer' considered highly inappropriate and unprofessional?