GOOSEBERRIES AND THIRD WHEELS

A third person in the company of two others (often lovers) who would prefer to be alone is often referred to as either a gooseberry or a third wheel. Interestingly, “third wheel” isn’t featured in the main dictionaries, but it is in regular use and I'm reliably informed by my teenage sons that it’s considered cooler than “gooseberry” and has replaced it as far as the younger generation is concerned.

 Examples of use:

 “The most convincing romantic chemistry is between Clary and Charlie Stemp as Prince Harry of Hampstead, leaving Snow White a gooseberry in the show that bears her name.”

 “It’s more that he popped up like a third wheel, disrupting Lucy and Martin’s perfect presenting dynamic.”


 The term “third wheel” may originate from “fifth wheel”, which is defined as a superfluous person or thing. The term “gooseberry” apparently originates from “gooseberry-picker” as an activity that was used as a pretext (excuse) for lovers to be together [1].

 [1] “gooseberry” in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by Knowles, Elizabeth. Oxford University Press, 2005. 

Photo credit: Katrina Parks