stinking roger: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialist/botanical/regional)Informal, colloquial, regional (UK, South Africa, New Zealand), botanical.
Quick answer
What does “stinking roger” mean?
A common name for the plant Tagetes minuta, also known as wild marigold or Mexican marigold, noted for its strong, unpleasant odor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A common name for the plant Tagetes minuta, also known as wild marigold or Mexican marigold, noted for its strong, unpleasant odor.
Informally, can be used as a derogatory nickname for a person who is considered unpleasant or foul-smelling.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More likely to be recognized in UK, South African, and New Zealand contexts due to the plant's status as an invasive weed there. Less common in general American English.
Connotations
UK/Commonwealth: Strong association with a smelly, invasive weed. US: Largely unknown outside botanical circles.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both. Higher likelihood in rural or gardening contexts in the UK and Commonwealth.
Grammar
How to Use “stinking roger” in a Sentence
The [field/garden] is full of stinking roger.We need to remove the stinking roger.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stinking roger” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The stinking roger infestation was terrible.
- A stinking roger plant.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in botanical or ecological papers discussing invasive species.
Everyday
Used in informal gardening or farming talk, primarily in certain regions.
Technical
Botanical name 'Tagetes minuta' is preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stinking roger”
- Capitalizing it as a proper name (Stinking Roger).
- Using it as a general insult without the botanical context being understood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a regional and specialist term mostly known in gardening, farming, or botanical contexts in the UK and some Commonwealth countries.
Informally and humorously, yes, implying they are unpleasant or foul-smelling, but it's very rare and context-dependent.
The formal botanical name is Tagetes minuta.
Yes, despite its smell, it is sometimes used as a companion plant to deter pests, and its essential oil has various applications.
A common name for the plant Tagetes minuta, also known as wild marigold or Mexican marigold, noted for its strong, unpleasant odor.
Stinking roger: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstɪŋkɪŋ ˈrɒdʒə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstɪŋkɪŋ ˈrɑːdʒər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a gardener named Roger who never showers, working with a pungent plant.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNPLEASANTNESS IS A FOUL SMELL (extended to people).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'stinking roger' primarily?