stonecatcher

English

Etymology

stone +‎ catcher. The metaphoric meaning refers to the biblical verse (John 8:7) "let he who is without sin cast the first stone", and was popularized by Bryan Stevenson, who heard the term used by a woman in a Louisiana courtroom.

Noun

stonecatcher (plural stonecatchers)

1. Something that catches or traps stones.
   • 1889, Reports from the Consuls of the United States, page 114:

     The dirt and stones detached from the beets are deposited on the floor of the stonecatcher, or receiver, fixed to the back part of this machine, from which they are from time to time emptied out from below;

   • 1901, Fire and Water - Volumes 29-30, page 234:

     According to the Scientific American (through whose courtesy the accompanying cuts are reproduced), the water flows through a six-inch steel casing into a “stonecatcher" (illustrated herewith), which arrests pebbles (some weighing twenty-two and one-half pounds), small boulders, and stones, which are shot out with force enough to damage the casing and machinery.

   • 2020, Keith Bateman, Heidi Jones, Rubida Communications, Older Yet Faster: The Secret to Running Fast and Injury Free:

     In our experience, these holes let water in through the soles, and they are stonecatchers.

2. (figurative) A person who shows mercy by intervening when someone is treated with overly harsh or cruel punishments.
   • 2014, Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy, page 309:

     But today, our self-righteousness, our fear, and our anger have caused even the Christians to hurl stones at the people who fall down, even when we know we should forgive or show compassion. I told the congregation that we can't simply watch that happen. I told them we have to be stonecatchers.

   • 2018, Billy T. Ogletree, Mean Christianity: Finding Our Way Back to Christ's Likeness, page 108:

     In contrast, a preemptive inclination to offer mercy (to be a stonecatcher) puts us actively intervening in condemnation around us— averting flashpoints before they start or, in the midst of judgment, encouraging others to consider alternatives to what they perceive as "deserved" outcomes.

   • 2019, Annetta Gibson, Daniel Augsburger, Honorable in Business:

     At times Christians in business will be stone catchers—acting with justice and mercy in a world where often the results of business activities are like stones being thrown at supervisors, colleagues, employees, customers, vendors, stockholders, the public, anyone in general, with or without naming specific individuals.