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{{Short description|Person who spends most of their free time sitting or lying on a couch}} | {{Short description|Person who spends most of their free time sitting or lying on a couch}} | ||
{{otheruses}} | {{otheruses}} | ||
[[File:Frontliner Couch Potato-01.svg|thumb|Illustration of a couch potato]] | |||
A '''couch potato''' is a person who spends most of their free time sitting or lying on a [[couch]]. This [[stereotype]] often refers to a [[Laziness|lazy]] and [[overweight]] person who watches a great deal of [[television]]. Generally speaking, the term refers to a lifestyle in which children or adults do not get enough physical activity. | A '''couch potato''' is a person who spends most of their free time sitting or lying on a [[couch]]. This [[stereotype]] often refers to a [[Laziness|lazy]] and [[overweight]] person who watches a great deal of [[television]]. Generally speaking, the term refers to a lifestyle in which children or adults do not get enough physical activity. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The actual term "[[couch]] [[potato]]" was first coined in 1976 by Tom Iacino, a friend of American [[Underground comix|underground comics]] artist [[Robert Armstrong (cartoonist)|Robert Armstrong]]. In the early-1980s, he registered the term as a [[trademark]] with the United States government; he also co-authored a book with [[Jack Mingo]], called ''The Official Couch Potato Handbook'', which delves into the lives of couch potatoes.<ref> | The actual term "[[couch]] [[potato]]" was first coined in 1976 by Tom Iacino, a friend of American [[Underground comix|underground comics]] artist [[Robert Armstrong (cartoonist)|Robert Armstrong]]. In the early-1980s, he registered the term as a [[trademark]] with the United States government; he also co-authored a book with [[Jack Mingo]], called ''The Official Couch Potato Handbook'', which delves into the lives of couch potatoes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Couch Potato: Life as a Full-time Television Watcher |url=http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2006-08/2006-08-20-voa1.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061004081724/http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2006-08/2006-08-20-voa1.cfm |archive-date=2006-10-04 |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=www.voanews.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Yahoo {{!}} Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos |url=https://www.yahoo.com/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=www.yahoo.com |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
The term eventually entered common American vocabulary, generally defining one who unceasingly watches television. The phrase was entered into the [[Oxford English Dictionary]] in 1993.{{Fact|date=November 2009}} | The term eventually entered common American vocabulary, generally defining one who unceasingly watches television. The phrase was entered into the [[Oxford English Dictionary]] in 1993.{{Fact|date=November 2009}} | ||
==Health== | ==Health== | ||
Some studies have said that the "couch potato lifestyle" is a serious health hazard to its practitioners;<ref> | Some studies have said that the "couch potato lifestyle" is a serious health hazard to its practitioners;<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-09-03 |title=Are you a couch potato? |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2233736.stm |access-date=2025-06-20 |language=en-GB}}</ref> in the [[United Kingdom]], a plan of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit tried attempts "to combat the couch potato culture" to "[improving the U.K.'s] international [[sport]]ing performance."<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Government report sets out to combat the couch potato culture and improve our international sporting performance |url=http://www.pm.gov.uk:80/output/Page3900.asp |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050313200005/http://www.pm.gov.uk:80/output/Page3900.asp |archive-date=2005-03-13 |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=www.pm.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> | ||
Studies presented at the 2003 meeting of the [[American College of Sports Medicine]] suggested that there could be a genetic basis for the "couch potato lifestyle".<ref> | Studies presented at the 2003 meeting of the [[American College of Sports Medicine]] suggested that there could be a genetic basis for the "couch potato lifestyle".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petersen |first=Andrea |date=2003-07-15 |title=Born to Be a Couch Potato: It Could Be in Your Genes |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB105821986619753200?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqc6nMpk7eLJAE05FuPoGM2MYthvW0jw2VPRwPHMU3XFyNd34ay5e5lP&gaa_ts=6904beba&gaa_sig=R3D3DXIgM62n2hocHUXr0qQNxhjMweapUsHI29ZmPv10ByxfdOj0T8kRQvJwKr1ZqXYFUB5qZkTCrE7kFeP7Pg%3D%3D |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251031134032/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB105821986619753200?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqc6nMpk7eLJAE05FuPoGM2MYthvW0jw2VPRwPHMU3XFyNd34ay5e5lP&gaa_ts=6904beba&gaa_sig=R3D3DXIgM62n2hocHUXr0qQNxhjMweapUsHI29ZmPv10ByxfdOj0T8kRQvJwKr1ZqXYFUB5qZkTCrE7kFeP7Pg%3D%3D |archive-date=2025-10-31 |website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> | ||
Research suggests that being a couch potato could make a person a decade older biologically than someone who is physically active.<ref> | Research suggests that being a couch potato could make a person a decade older biologically than someone who is physically active.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shetty |first=Priya |date=29 January 2008 |title=Couch potato lifestyle may speed up ageing |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13238-couch-potato-lifestyle-may-speed-up-ageing/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=New Scientist |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
==Popular culture== | ==Popular culture== | ||
* Various activities have been designed for the couch potato, including a type of investment portfolio ("Couch Potato Portfolio")<ref> | * Various activities have been designed for the couch potato, including a type of investment portfolio ("Couch Potato Portfolio")<ref>{{Cite web |title=Can I Make Money With a Couch-Potato Portfolio? |url=https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/08/couch-potato-portfolio.asp |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Investopedia |language=en}}</ref> and [[Fantasy football (association)|fantasy football]] leagues. | ||
* [[Greyhound|Greyhound dogs]], who are well-known for their sprinting ability but otherwise require little exercise, are sometimes called "forty-five mile per hour couch potatoes" by adoption and rescue agencies.<ref> | * [[Greyhound|Greyhound dogs]], who are well-known for their sprinting ability but otherwise require little exercise, are sometimes called "forty-five mile per hour couch potatoes" by adoption and rescue agencies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sign in - Google Accounts |url=https://accounts.google.com/v3/signin/identifier?continue=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.google.com%2Fa%2Fpupswithoutpartners.org%2Fgreyhounds&followup=https%3A%2F%2Fsites.google.com%2Fa%2Fpupswithoutpartners.org%2Fgreyhounds&ifkv=AdBytiM4mQW6gkQHG1Tb3audOexJ-iHIpD0rXkiIxsnC6Mo0_Jm2Gw_mpDl1w8kIJ2TNCFwV_ZwmRQ&osid=1&passive=1209600&flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=ServiceLogin&dsh=S2050417706%3A1750387684437632 |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=accounts.google.com}}{{Registration required}}</ref> | ||
* Music artist [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]'s song "[[Couch Potato (song)|Couch Potato]]" (a parody of "[[Lose Yourself]]" by [[Eminem]]) describes him watching hours upon hours of television, "until [his] legs are [[Numbness|numb]], [his] eyes bloodshot." | * Music artist [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]'s song "[[Couch Potato (song)|Couch Potato]]" (a parody of "[[Lose Yourself]]" by [[Eminem]]) describes him watching hours upon hours of television, "until [his] legs are [[Numbness|numb]], [his] eyes bloodshot." | ||
* The phrase has coined the spin-off ''[[Mouse (computing)|mouse]] potato'' (or sometimes ''computer potato''), meaning one who spends too much time in front of a [[computer]]. | * The phrase has coined the spin-off ''[[Mouse (computing)|mouse]] potato'' (or sometimes ''computer potato''), meaning one who spends too much time in front of a [[computer]]. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Stereotypes]] | [[Category:Stereotypes]] | ||
[[Category:Human behavior]] | [[Category:Human behavior]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:42, 21 December 2025
Template:Short description Template:Otheruses
A couch potato is a person who spends most of their free time sitting or lying on a couch. This stereotype often refers to a lazy and overweight person who watches a great deal of television. Generally speaking, the term refers to a lifestyle in which children or adults do not get enough physical activity.
History
The actual term "couch potato" was first coined in 1976 by Tom Iacino, a friend of American underground comics artist Robert Armstrong. In the early-1980s, he registered the term as a trademark with the United States government; he also co-authored a book with Jack Mingo, called The Official Couch Potato Handbook, which delves into the lives of couch potatoes.[1][2]
The term eventually entered common American vocabulary, generally defining one who unceasingly watches television. The phrase was entered into the Oxford English Dictionary in 1993.Template:Fact
Health
Some studies have said that the "couch potato lifestyle" is a serious health hazard to its practitioners;[3] in the United Kingdom, a plan of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit tried attempts "to combat the couch potato culture" to "[improving the U.K.'s] international sporting performance."[4]
Studies presented at the 2003 meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine suggested that there could be a genetic basis for the "couch potato lifestyle".[5]
Research suggests that being a couch potato could make a person a decade older biologically than someone who is physically active.[6]
Popular culture
- Various activities have been designed for the couch potato, including a type of investment portfolio ("Couch Potato Portfolio")[7] and fantasy football leagues.
- Greyhound dogs, who are well-known for their sprinting ability but otherwise require little exercise, are sometimes called "forty-five mile per hour couch potatoes" by adoption and rescue agencies.[8]
- Music artist "Weird Al" Yankovic's song "Couch Potato" (a parody of "Lose Yourself" by Eminem) describes him watching hours upon hours of television, "until [his] legs are numb, [his] eyes bloodshot."
- The phrase has coined the spin-off mouse potato (or sometimes computer potato), meaning one who spends too much time in front of a computer.
- In the comedy movie Stay Tuned (1992), Roy Knable (John Ritter) was a couch potato who was sucked into a television world by an emissary from hell (Jeffrey Jones).
- Couch Potatoes was the name of a game show hosted by Double Dare host Marc Summers.
- Couch Potato was a Sunday morning kids TV show aired on the ABC in Australia in the 1990s.
References
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