Cheapskate

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈt͡ʃipˌskeɪt/

Definitions

  1. A person who is extremely reluctant to spend money and avoids paying fair prices or giving reasonable tips
  2. A person characterized by an unwillingness to spend money, often leading to below-average generosity or support for others
  3. An individual who habitually refrains from spending money, typically to the detriment of social interactions and relationships

Etymology: The term emerged in English during the late 19th century as a colorful way to describe someone who is excessively frugal or stingy. It combines two familiar words, each carrying its own meaning: "cheap," referring to low cost or unwillingness to spend money, and "skate," which, in this context, is less about the gliding footwear and more about the verb meaning to evade responsibility or avoid effort. Together, they paint a picture of a person who "skates" around spending money, slipping away from generosity or fair exchange. The "cheap" portion comes straightforwardly from Middle English "chep(e)" or "chepen," meaning to buy or barter, eventually evolving to mean low in price or quality. The "skate" part is believed to stem from the verb usage, which itself descends from the Old Norse "skauta," meaning to glide or move quickly and smoothly. This connotation of moving evasively fits well with the notion of someone who dodges spending money. This compound likely originated in American English before spreading to other dialects. Its first recorded appearances date to the late 1800s, a period when slang and colloquial expressions were flourishing in newspapers and everyday speech. The word’s vivid imagery made it a memorable insult, capturing social attitudes toward parsimony and generosity. Over time, the term has retained its core meaning without significant semantic shift, continuing to label those reluctant to part with their money. Its playful construction reflects a broader trend in English of forming compounds that combine descriptive adjectives with action-oriented nouns or verbs to create pointed, often humorous social commentary.

Synonyms: miser, tightwad, penny-pincher, skinflint, scrooge

Antonyms: spender, generous person, big spender, philanthropist, donor