Stoolpigeon for Dummies

Hey there! So, you want to know what the word "stoolpigeon" means, huh? Well, don't worry because I'm here to explain it to you in the simplest way possible. Alright, let's dive right in!

Imagine you and your friends are playing a game of hide and seek. One person is the seeker, while the others hide. Now, imagine there's a person who is pretending to be one of the hiders, but secretly gives away their hiding spots to the seeker. Seems unfair, right? Well, that person who tattles or snitches on their friends is what we call a "stoolpigeon." Basically, it's someone who betrays or informs on others.

But that's not the only meaning of the word. "Stoolpigeon" can also be used in a different context, kind of like a metaphorical sense. Do you know what a pigeon is? It's a bird that walks around and eats bits of food it finds on the ground. So, in a different situation, someone who acts like a pigeon, taking advantage of any available opportunity to get what they want, can also be called a "stoolpigeon."

Let's try putting it all together now. Imagine you're in a detective story, like those exciting books you love to read. There's a sneaky character who pretends to be friends with the bad guys, but secretly works with the police to help catch them. This character is both a betrayer by snitching on their friends, and also like a pigeon, taking advantage of opportunities to catch the bad guys. That, my friend, is what we call a "stoolpigeon."

I hope that explanation was helpful! Understanding new words can be tricky sometimes, but I believe in you. Remember, if there's anything else you need help with, just ask. Keep up the great work!