carpet knight

English

Etymology

In the sense of a non-military knight: so called because they were created while kneeling on a carpet, not the field.

Noun

carpet knight (plural carpet knights)

1. (historical) One made a knight during a time of peace and therefore for some reason other than military distinction or service.
2. (obsolete) A knight who enjoys ease and security, or luxury, and has not known the hardships of the field.
   • c. 1601–1602, William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, act 3, scene 4:

     He is knight dubbed with unhatched rapier and / on carpet consideration

3. (dated) One who avoids hard work; a fop; an idler.
4. (obsolete) A lady's man.

Synonyms

• (one who avoids hard work): See Thesaurus:dandy or Thesaurus:idler

References

• (lady's man): 1873, John Camden Hotten, The Slang Dictionary