tree-hugger

A derogatory term for an environmentalist, especially one who is very vocal in their support of environmental regulations. I didn't spend my life building this company just to see my daughter marry some liberal tree-hugger who's trying to get us shut down! Of course the tree-huggers are opposed to the proposed oil drilling, but they're ignoring how many jobs it will provide to people in the region.

tree hugger

An environmentalist. This slangy expression dates from the late 1900s and alludes to those who support the protection of forests and oppose logging. It sometimes is used as a derogatory term by those who think such a person goes to unnecessary extremes. The term has been extended to other forms of environmentalism, such as limiting greenhouse gases. See also carbon footprint.