گلابی

Calling a relative golabi is a small political act: it diagnoses them as politically credulous without saying so directly. Diaspora Iranians use it about the older generation back home who still trust state TV. Tehrani Iranians use it about diaspora cousins who think every protest will succeed in three weeks. The word also has a gentler, romantic register: a partner who is sweet and soft and clueless can be affectionately called golabi, the way English speakers say "airhead" with a smile. Read the speaker, not just the word.