masher: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal for the 'man' sense; neutral for the 'tool' sense.
Quick answer
What does “masher” mean?
An object or person that crushes or pounds something into a soft, pulpy mass.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An object or person that crushes or pounds something into a soft, pulpy mass.
A slang term for a man who dresses or behaves in a way intended to attract women, often in an old-fashioned, showy, or somewhat unwelcome manner (dated usage).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The 'man' sense is equally dated in both variants.
Connotations
For the 'man' sense, the connotation is of outdated, perhaps comical flirtatiousness.
Frequency
The 'kitchen utensil' sense is more common in both, but overall usage is low. 'Potato masher' is the more frequent collocation.
Grammar
How to Use “masher” in a Sentence
N + for + N (He was a masher for the ladies.)Use + N + to + V (Use a masher to crush the fruit.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Rare; potentially in historical/sociological texts discussing Victorian/Edwardian social types.
Everyday
Primarily in cooking contexts. The 'man' sense would be used humorously or in period pieces.
Technical
In culinary equipment specifications.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “masher”
- Confusing 'masher' with 'mashed' (the verb form).
- Using the 'man' sense in a serious modern context.
- Spelling as 'mashier' (comparative of 'mashy').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not very common. Its primary use is in the compound 'potato masher'. The slang term for a man is outdated.
No, 'masher' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to mash'.
A masher typically has a flat or curved plate with holes, pushed down. A ricer forces food through many small holes, creating a finer, rice-like texture.
It is dated and was often used humorously or slightly critically. Today it would be seen as a quaint, period-specific term rather than directly offensive.
An object or person that crushes or pounds something into a soft, pulpy mass.
Masher is usually informal for the 'man' sense; neutral for the 'tool' sense. in register.
Masher: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmæʃə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmæʃər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a bit of an old masher.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MASHING potatoes. A 'masher' is the tool that does the MASHING, or (historically) a man who tried to 'mash' on women with his flashy style.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRUSHING IS DOMINATING / ATTRACTING (for the dated slang: a man 'crushes' on women or tries to 'crush' their resistance with his style).
Practice
Quiz
In a historical novel set in 1890, a 'masher' most likely refers to: