What does it mean to be a "Mouth Breather" why is this derogatory?

Answer 1

Because all the people who try to project intelligence strain really hard to breath exclusively through their nose?

Answer 2

Well it's kinda self explanatory. They walk around never closing their mouths, or if they do close them to lick around the inside they just let it hang open again. It is usually associated with people of lower intelligences (ie slack jaw) but I've found that some professionals, like doctors, teachers etc do this as soon as they have to listen. It implies that they are NOT listening but only looking for their opportunity to speak next. It grosses/pisses off alot of people out because it's just a really bad habit thats easy to correct.

Answer 3

Most people that breath through their mouths either suffer from sinus problems, or like me, i have Emphysema. A lung disease that slowly destroys the lungs, unlike cancer this can not be cured, and find it easyer to breath through the mouth. As for people to think it derogatory, up to them, i could not care less. At least i am still alive.

Answer 4

A term used by intolerant people or by the elite, who find some need, probably from a lack of self esteem, to marginalize someone whose opinion differs from their own.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mouth-breather

Answer 5

most of us breath through our nose
mouth breathers have a problem in brain stem

Answer 6

It Sounds better then Fly Catcher lol

Answer 7

It means you breathe with your mouth open and your breath stinks

Answer 8

It is another term for a "slack jawed yokel".
In other words a dullard, idiot etc.