person from Porlock
One whose inconvenient interruption prevents the completion of something important.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“My neighbor is a person from Porlock who interrupts my work every day.”
“I was finally finishing my report when my chatty colleague arrived, acting like a true person from Porlock.”
“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.”
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.
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as the next person
To a reasonable degree; as much as a typical person.
- 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.
- 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.
- 04
people person
One who interacts skilfully with other people and who receives satisfaction from such interaction.
Last updated August 10, 2026