How Do You Spell BUTTONHOLER?
Pronunciation: [bˈʌtənhˌə͡ʊlə] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [bˈʌtənhˌə͡ʊlə] (IPA)
A "buttonholer" is a noun that refers to an individual who energetically engages in the act of buttonholing others. It specifically denotes a person who persistently and often aggressively grasps someone's attention, typically in a social or professional context, in order to express a matter of personal importance. This verb-based noun is derived from the action of buttonholing, which originally referred to the act of literally grasping the buttonhole of another person's coat to impede their progress or initiate a conversation.
In essence, a buttonholer is someone who metaphorically catches a person's figurative "buttonhole" to secure their undivided attention. They exhibit a tenacious determination and skill in intercepting others, bypassing social norms or even personal boundaries to accomplish their goals or voice their concerns. A buttonholer can be seen as assertive, persuasive, or even intrusive, depending on the perspective of the person being "buttonholed." Thus, the term encapsulates the dominant character traits of someone who seeks to monopolize someone's time and attention, often in a forceful manner.
The term "buttonholer" can be employed to describe both positive and negative scenarios, depending on the context. In politics, for instance, a buttonholer may be an effective advocate who tirelessly approaches politicians to convey the needs of a community or interest group. On the other hand, a buttonholer could also be perceived as annoying or overly demanding when incessantly seeking attention or favor from others.
The word "buttonholer" originated from two separate words: "button" and "hole". The term "button" comes from Old French "bouton", which means "knob" or "bud". It entered Middle English as "button" with a similar meaning. "Hole", on the other hand, can be traced back to Old English "hol", meaning an opening or cavity. When merged, "buttonhole" referred to the small slit or opening in fabric used to fasten buttons. The term "buttonholer" emerged as a noun in the late 19th century, describing a person or machine that stitches buttonholes.
