Words at Play : A Wealth of Words
Definition:
: a knight who has spent his time in ease and luxury : a man devoted to idleness and pleasure
Example:
"...the dilettante carpet knight of political parlors, whose delicate nostrils snuff the smoke of battle at a safe distance from the conflict."
– The Dalles (Oregon) Weekly Chronicle, January 19, 1895
About the Word:
Rather than being knighted on the hard field of battle as a reward for valor, so-called carpet knights received the honor while kneeling on plush carpet in front of the king's throne.
Because this kind of knighting was a lot more pleasant and easy than the other kind, carpet knight became an insult for those who preferred hanging around court to fighting battles.
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