Cheeseparing

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A practice marked by extreme thriftiness often leading to subpar results
2. A method of spending that prioritizes minimalism and avoidance of waste
3. A tendency to be overly stingy in spending or use, often to the point of neglecting quality ; the practice of cutting expenses sharply to save money by minimizing expenditures

Etymology: The idea behind "cheeseparing" is literal: paring. Cheese was once expensive enough that trimming off the outer rind to save every scrap was a real household economy, and the thin shavings that came off were the leftovers of that frugality. The compound joins "cheese" and "pare," so the word describes someone who cuts away even that little bit to keep costs down. The adjective is used of a person or practice that is extremely thrifty, and the sense usually carries a sneer: economies pushed so far that the result is poor. A budget squeezed by cheeseparing might save a few pence while degrading the quality of everything it touches, which is why the word rarely sounds like praise.