Where does the term Armchair Psychologist come from? I understand it means someone who has no formal training who 'sits in their comfortable armchair' and gives (usually) unsolicited advice to others, but where does this expression come from? When was it first used, etc.? Also, why an "armchair"? Wouldn't a psychologist usually be sitting in an armchair when they're giving an analysis?
Learn English – Origin of “Armchair X”
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I would think it's rather probable that it is a calque derived from the perfectly idiomatic German phrase "Was gibt's?". You see? "Was gibt's" <-> "What gives" Pretty close. Don't know why the author of the linked source (Brian Joseph) doesn't see this and only considers "Was gibt es?" which you will rarely hear in colloquial speech.
Instead the e in 'es' is mostly dropped, hence: "Was gibts?"
Although the meaning has deviated a bit apparently. In German it can only mean ~ "what's happening?" / "what do you want (from me)?"
I found a use of the phrase in The Sun of New London, Connecticut, January 13, 1917:
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Best Answer
The oldest of these expressions seems to be arm-chair traveller in 1809, at least according to OED. OED also provides a good definition for the expression that explains why "armchair" is significant: