Meaning of parish-pump | Babel Free

Definitions

Of local interest or significance only; petty, parochial.

UK, dated, derogatory, figuratively, not-comparable, often

Examples

“parish pump politics    parish-pump squabbles”

“Never avoid⟳ bars or smoke-rooms, because in the former case you miss⟳ the chance of marrying a flirt, and in the latter of having your mind⟳ improved by local parish-pump politics, and your head broken by a fool in his cups.”

“I now turn⟳ to the question⟳ of political progress⟳. Ten days or so ago I was criticized in a newspaper for saying that I would confine political progress⟳ to the parish-pump level. […] I believe⟳ it right to ensure that truly responsible local government at the rural community and Municipal Council levels is firmly established and as quickly as possible.”

“I don't think⟳ I've voted once since the war. The issues nowadays so often seem—well, a bit parish pump.”

“This study⟳ […] pays serious attention to so called parish-pump conflicts in the belief that they performed a fundamental role in shaping opinion in the countryside. The vitality of parish pump alignments had a temporal dimension, too, for it seems that the querulousness of the rural community expressed a developing perception of equilibrium and well-being.”

“The idea of "parish-pump politics" is well known. Instead of engaging in problem solving at the community level, local politicians often think⟳ only of their own⟳, local community, even if it is much more reasonable to cooperate with neighbouring communities and to pursue⟳ common regional interests.”

CEFR level