ENGLISH
REFERENCE

person from Porlock

idiom
Meaning

One whose inconvenient interruption prevents the completion of something important.


Origin

first recorded 18th c.

In reference to an unwelcome visitor described by Samuel Taylor Coleridge as interrupting him during his composition of the poem Kubla Khan in 1797, and preventing its completion.

Examples
SIMPLE

My neighbor is a person from Porlock who interrupts my work every day.

CONTEXTUAL

I was finally finishing my report when my chatty colleague arrived, acting like a true person from Porlock.

COMPLEX

Just as the poet reached the height of his inspiration, a persistent person from Porlock arrived at the door, shattering his focus and ending the creative flow.

Anchors to
Related idioms4entries
  1. 01

    as the next person

    To a reasonable degree; as much as a typical person.

  2. 02

    morning person

    A person who wakes up, without difficulty, early each morning and is alert and active during the first part of the day.

  3. 03

    night person

    A person whose preference or custom is to remain awake and active during the evening and early morning (night) hours, and who usually sleeps during part of the daytime.

  4. 04

    people person

    One who interacts skilfully with other people and who receives satisfaction from such interaction.

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