Job's Comforter

This was today's Word of the Day email:

Job's comforter \JOHBZ-KUM-fer-ter\ noun

: a person who discourages or depresses while seemingly giving comfort and consolation
Example sentence:
When Tracey's second interview didn't go well, more than one Job's comforter remarked that she probably would have hated the job anyway.

Did you know?
Poor Job. He's the biblical character who endures extraordinary afflictions in a test of his piety. He loses his possessions, his children, and his health. And then, to make matters worse, three friends show up to "comfort" him. These friends turn out to be no comfort at all. Instead, they say that the things that have been happening to him happen to all sinners — and point out a number of his faults. In the mid-18th century, English speakers began using the phrase "Job's comforter" for anyone who offers similarly unhelpful consolation.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.


I think we all know people like this. Do you know a lot or few people like this?

Message edited 8/30/2006 10:29:34 AM.

Re: Job's Comforter

god yes...

i try not to be like that because i am not sure if it hurts or helps...

but people have definitely been like that with me..

like when i got dumped or a bf stopped calling and people said "well, he was a jerk anyway"

what if i got back together with him? are you saying that my tatse is in jerks only?

that type of thing...

Re: Job's Comforter

I don't think they do it to hurt anyones feelings, it's more like putting your foot in your mouth.