Chuzzlewit

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A fictional character from Charles Dickens' novel, noted for his cunning and selfishness in business matters and personal relationships
2. A representation of greed and moral ambiguity, often used to illustrate a satirical perspective on society's flaws
3. An emblematic figure in literature that showcases the complexities of human nature, particularly in the pursuit of wealth and influence

Etymology: Charles Dickens published "The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit" in serial parts between 1842 and 1844, and the surname was his own invention. Dickens built it from the verb "chuse" or "chuse", an old spelling of "choose", and the "-wit" ending is a familiar English surname element, so the name hints at a man who chooses cleverly, or cunningly. The character himself is a hard-fisted, self-regarding old man whose greed and pride make him the book's central target of satire, and his name became a byword for the mean-spirited relative who hoards everything he can grasp. The name had an earlier life as a common word of sorts: "chuzzle" was a dialect verb for "to hoard" or "to grasp", which makes the connection to greed more than accidental. Dickens was known for christening characters with names that announce their nature, and this one fits the pattern, though the exact dialect source he drew on is uncertain.