addle-plot

English

Alternative forms

• addleplot

Etymology

From addle (“to muddle, to ruin”) +‎ plot (“plan”). In earliest use as a character name in Love for Money by Thomas d'Urfey in 1691. Compare marplot.

Noun

addle-plot (plural addle-plots)

1. (archaic, idiomatic) Synonym of spoilsport, one who ruins other's plans or enjoyment of something.
   • 2008, Georgette Heyer, Lady of Quality, page 13:

     'Never shall it be said of me that I'm an addle-plot, I promise you! I collect that you are going to visit a friend, or perhaps a relation?'

   • 2023, Richard Milward, Man-Eating Typewriter, page 38:

     ... fash bats and sharpering-omis were after us, those evil eagle-eeked addle-plots who cruised the city.

References

• "addle-plot n.", Green's Dictionary of Slang, 2026.