What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Meddler vs Telltale - What's the difference?

meddler | telltale |

As nouns the difference between meddler and telltale

is that meddler is one who meddles or interferes in something not of their concern while telltale is one who divulges private information with intent to hurt others.

As an adjective telltale is

revealing something not intended to be known.

meddler

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • One who meddles or interferes in something not of their concern.
  • * 1759 , Adam Smith, The theory of moral sentiments
    • The prudent man is not willing to subject himself to any responsibility which his duty does not impose upon him. He is not a bustler in business where he has no concern; is not a meddler in other people’s affairs; is not a professed counsellor or adviser, who obtrudes his advice where nobody is asking it.
  • * 1868 , Horatio Alger, Struggling Upward
    • “Yes, Mr. Coleman, I have,” answered Luke steadily. “I thought it my duty to inform this man of your character. I have advised him to put his money into a savings-bank.”
    “Curse you for an impertinent meddler !” said Coleman wrathfully. “I’ll get even with you for this!”
    “You can do as you please,” said Luke calmly.
  • * 1934 , H. P. Lovecraft,
    • “Stop!” The hoarse, oddly alien voice of the Swami held a tone beyond all mere earthly fright “I told you there was another form of proof which I could give if necessary, and I warned you not to provoke me to it. This red-faced old meddler is right; I’m not really an East Indian. This face is a mask, and what it covers is not human.”

    Synonyms

    * busybody * kibitzer * marplot * nosey parker

    See also

    * gatecrasher, interloper, peeping tom, persona non grata, encroacher, backseat driver, intruder, buttinsky

    telltale

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who divulges private information with intent to hurt others.
  • (chiefly, US, slang) Tattletale; squealer.
  • Something that serves to reveal something else.
    • The telltale was the lipstick on his shirt collar.
  • (music) A movable piece of ivory, lead, or other material, connected to the bellows of an organ, whose position indicates when the wind is exhausted.
  • (nautical) A length of yarn or ribbon attached to a sail or shroud etc to indicate the direction of the flow of the air relative to the boat.
  • (nautical) A mechanical attachment to the steering wheel, which, in the absence of a tiller, shows the position of the helm.
  • (nautical) A compass in the cabin of a vessel, usually placed where the captain can see it at all hours, and thus inform himself of the vessel's course.
  • (engineering) A machine or contrivance for indicating or recording something, particularly for keeping a check upon employees (factory hands, watchmen, drivers, etc.) by revealing to their employers what they have done or omitted.
  • A bird, the tattler.
    • (Webster 1913)

    Synonyms

    * (one who divulges private information) blabbermouth, gossip, rumormonger, talebearer

    Related terms

    * tell tales

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • revealing something not intended to be known
    • His eye was blinking, a telltale signal that he was lying.
    He blushed when he approached, a telltale sign that he was happy to see him.

    Derived terms

    * telltale compass