Definition

1. Noun:
   • A kitchen utensil for mashing: A tool, typically with a handle and a perforated or ridged end, used to crush soft food (like potatoes) into a smooth, pulpy mass.
   • A man who makes aggressive amorous advances: (Informal, dated) A man who behaves in a forward, often unwelcome, manner when trying to attract or impress women, especially in public.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Kitchen Utensil):

  • Use a masher to make the avocado perfectly smooth for the guacamole.
  • She used a potato masher to prepare the side dish for dinner.

• Noun (Aggressive Man):

  • In old films, the masher was often portrayed as a nuisance on the street.
  • She complained to her friends about the masher who wouldn't leave her alone at the bar.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term "masher" for a man was particularly common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often associated with a dandyish or flashy style.
  • The Victorian-era masher was known for his fashionable clothes and bold behavior.

Variants and Related Words

• Mash (verb): To crush or smash something into a soft, pulpy state.
  • Mash the bananas before adding them to the batter.
• Potato Masher (noun phrase): A specific type of masher designed for potatoes.
  • A good potato masher is essential for creamy mashed potatoes.

Synonyms

• For the utensil: Crusher, press.
• For the man: (Dated) Lothario, lady-killer, cad, wolf, flirt.

Related Idioms

• None directly using "masher": The word itself is quite specific and is not commonly found in modern idioms. The dated slang meaning might appear in historical or literary contexts describing such behavior.

Noun

1. a kitchen utensil used for mashing (e.g. potatoes)
2. a man who is aggressive in making amorous advances to women