Muffin-choker refers to a bizarre, sensational, or unbelievable news story.

Muffin-choker指离奇的、耸人听闻的或令人难以置信的新闻。

This phrase comes from the reaction one would supposedly have after reading about such a story in the morning newspaper while having his/her muffin and coffee. Coffee spitter can serve the same purpose in this case.

这个短语表达来源于人们早晨看报时看到上述那种新闻会出现的反应：吃蛋糕的可能被噎到了，喝咖啡的可能把咖啡喷一地。所以，这种情况用coffee spitter表示也是可以的。