Debbie Downer

noun

Deb·​bie Down·​er ˈde-bē-ˈdau̇-nər 

plural Debbie Downers

informal

: a negative or pessimistic person : a person who speaks only of the bad or depressing aspects of something and lessens the enthusiasm or pleasure of others

OK, now I really don't want to sound like a Debbie Downer, but 2018 has not been an easy one, my friends.

—Valerie Mesa

"If this is all supposed to be a big joke perpetuated on residents, I expect they probably violated the law to pull it off," said [Barbara] Petersen, president of the First Amendment Foundation. "I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but seriously, I don't think they thought this through."

—Associated Press

I'm always the Debbie Downer and I'm always Mr. Negative … I call it like I see it.

—Brent Venables

Examples of Debbie Downer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet some become too iconic to change—say, Mike Myer’s Wayne, or Bill Hader’s Stefan, or Rachel Dratch’s Debbie Downer. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024

As fans may recall, Debbie Downer was aptly named as the character would often voice her negative opinions at social events. —Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024

Maher’s dour mug resembles a Debbie Downer; his only mirth comes from disbelieving or humiliating someone else for having a different point of view. —Armond White, National Review, 7 June 2024

My question to you: Is there a better way to answer this question honestly without being a real Debbie Downer? —Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2024

Working With a Debbie Downer My colleague at work is a real downer. —Roxane Gay, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2023

Rachel Dratch is looking back on a behind-the-scenes Saturday Night Live moment that would have made Debbie Downer proud. —Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2023

The movie also strikes a note of agreeably transgressive comedy when Cranky Kong and his crew, who’ve been placed in hanging cages, have to the endure the presence of a glowing star who voices Debbie Downer existential despair in the ickiest of baby voices. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

alliterative combination of the personal name Debbie and downer

Note: Name popularized, if not introduced, by a skit character Debbie Downer on the American television variety show Saturday Night Live; the character first appeared in the program for May 1, 2004.

First Known Use

2005, in the meaning defined above