querulous

[KWER-yuh-luhs]
Popcast Phonetic: “kwer-uh-lus” — said like someone sighing dramatically because the popcorn is too salty and not salty enough at the same time.
Phonetic (Standard) IPA: (running out of bitter beer humor)

adjective — habitually complaining; full of whines, gripes, and low-level grumbling that could absolutely derail movie night.

EXPLANATION

To be querulous is to live in a permanent state of mild outrage. Not full vituperation — more like the background character in a sitcom who’s always annoyed about the thermostat, the lighting, or why the pizza was sliced unevenly, maybe you might call them parents. Think Larry David energy with fewer resolutions and more sighing.

ORIGIN

Late 15th century, from Latin querulus, meaning “complaining” or “given to lamenting.” In other words, people have been nitpicking reality since before streaming, surround sound, or popcorn with too many flavor options.

EXAMPLE

The querulous moviegoer muttered through the entire film — too loud, too long, too dark — yet somehow never stopped eating the popcorn, after the show he was greeted with bludgeoning of applause by disgruntled moviegoers.

HOW TO USE

Use querulous when someone isn’t furious, just perpetually dissatisfied — arms crossed, eyebrows raised, offering a running commentary of complaints while everyone else tries to enjoy the pizza and ignore the vibe shift you know aura killers, maybe your last girlfriend/boyfriend/person.