In general, a [blank]er is someone who [blank]s.

language/english/spelling/operations.on.words/er.reversed New

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Problem

In general, a [blank]er is someone who [blank]s.  Example: a builder
builds, a dancer dances, a player plays.  Give an example of a pair of
words where this pattern is *reversed*: a [blank] is someone who
[blank]ers.

-- Jonathan Haas <positron@quip.eecs.umich.edu>

Show solution

Well, I have a few that are probably not what you have in mind, but
here they are:

A moth mothers; a prof proffers; she sheers; a wag wagers.

But all seriousness aside, could your pair be:

A pest pesters?

-- Chris Cole <chris@questrel.com>

In article <2q5d64$7h4@zip.eecs.umich.edu> positron@quip.eecs.umich.edu
(Jonathan Haas) writes:
>Chris Cole <chris@questrel.com> wrote:
>>A pest pesters?
>
>BING! And the Colemeister nails it...

Damn!  And here I was thinking that a wave might waver (not quite the
right form, I know) or that a frightened cow might cower.

Congratulations, Chris.

-- Holleman Eric <eric@gsb003.cs.ualberta.ca>

Other answers sent in:

My Cousin, Henry, longs for carnal congress with Gwendolyn.  He is
therefore a Hank who hankers....   ...... :-).

-- Ben A. Fairbank <ben@lonestar.utsa.edu>

In order for this to work I must point out that my best friend is
called Matthew and therefore:-

Mat is someone who matters.

I hope there is a financial award...Ta Cheesus.  Don't die in the pub
it looks bad.

Also if you have a bat who works in a fish 'n' chip shop, a bat is
someone who batters.

please send your prize to paf2@aber.ac.uk

-- paf2 <paf2@aber.ac.uk>

I think "wimp whimpers" deserves honorable mention.  It doesn't quite
go spelling-wise, but it works great vocally (and definitionally).

-- Tom Magliery <mag@cs.uiuc.edu>

Not what you were looking for, but...

"I have a sandwich named after me," boasted Rueben.

"So do I!" COUNTERed the COUNT.

-- Michael P. Chakoian <MPC1@ntrs.com>

Oh, and in answer to the "er" puzzle, my favorite is
     A Teet is something that teeters

(yeah, I know the spelling's wrong, but the imagery's worth it).

-- Ben Weber <benw@cbnewsm.cb.att.com>

In article <94123.121728RVESTERM@vma.cc.nd.edu>, <RVESTERM@vma.cc.nd.edu>
writes:
> how about a <blank>erer who <blank>ers?
>
> bob vesterman.

A buggerer who buggers.

-- Michael R. Crystal <MCrystal@bbn.com>

A waterer who waters.

-- Larry Colwell <larryc@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>

I know this is an old thread but I was just catching up.  How about:

A slob slobbers.

-- Bill Schenck <bschenck@lehman.com>