stinking badger: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Specialized/Zoological (literal); Informal/Humorous/Insulting (extended)
Quick answer
What does “stinking badger” mean?
The common name for the teledu or Malayan stink badger (Mydaus javanensis), a small Southeast Asian mammal known for its powerful, foul-smelling defensive secretion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The common name for the teledu or Malayan stink badger (Mydaus javanensis), a small Southeast Asian mammal known for its powerful, foul-smelling defensive secretion.
Informally used as a humorous or derogatory term to describe something or someone considered extremely unpleasant, foul-smelling, or objectionable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The zoological term is identical. The figurative, insulting usage is marginally more likely in British English, leveraging a familiar animal (badger) for humorous effect.
Connotations
Both varieties share the core connotation of extreme unpleasantness, especially related to smell. The British usage may carry a slightly more humorous, less directly aggressive tone.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties. Its use is almost entirely restricted to specialized texts (zoology) or as a deliberate, non-formulaic insult.
Grammar
How to Use “stinking badger” in a Sentence
[Verb] like a stinking badgerThat [Noun] is a real stinking badger.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stinking badger” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's been stinking badgering about the office all morning, complaining about the new policy.
American English
- Don't stinking badger me about the deadline; I'm working on it.
adjective
British English
- We had to leave the stinking badger pub after ten minutes; the smell was unbearable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. If used figuratively, it would be highly informal and potentially offensive.
Academic
Used only in zoological contexts to refer to the specific species.
Everyday
Rare. Could be used as a vivid, humorous insult among friends.
Technical
A valid common name in zoology for Mydaus javanensis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stinking badger”
- Using it as a standard insult expecting immediate comprehension.
- Confusing it with the American skunk or other mustelids.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is the common name for the teledu (Mydaus javanensis), a small mammal found in Southeast Asia known for its potent defensive smell.
You can, but it is non-standard and not a common idiom. Its meaning will be understood contextually (as something very unpleasant), but it may sound more humorous or creative than genuinely offensive.
They are different species from different families (Mephitidae for skunks, Mephitidae or a related group for stink badgers, depending on taxonomy) and live on different continents, but they share a similar defence mechanism of spraying a foul-smelling liquid.
No, it is not a swear word. However, using it to describe a person is rude and insulting, similar to calling someone a 'skunk' or 'rat'.
The common name for the teledu or Malayan stink badger (Mydaus javanensis), a small Southeast Asian mammal known for its powerful, foul-smelling defensive secretion.
Stinking badger is usually specialized/zoological (literal); informal/humorous/insulting (extended) in register.
Stinking badger: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɪŋkɪŋ ˈbædʒə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɪŋkɪŋ ˈbædʒər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none established]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A BADGER that makes you go 'STINK! ING!' – it's so foul it interrupts your speech.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXTREME DISGUST/UNPLEASANTNESS IS A FOUL-SMELLING ANIMAL.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'stinking badger' most appropriate?