skinflint
UK: /ˈskɪnflɪnt/ | US: /ˈskɪnflɪnt/
n. a miserly or stingy person; someone who is extremely reluctant to spend money.
skinflint = skin<outer layer> + flint<hard stone>
- skin (from Old English scinn, meaning "outer layer of the body")
- flint (from Old English flint, meaning "hard quartz stone," historically used to strike sparks for fire)
Etymology Origin:
The term skinflint originated in the 18th century as a humorous insult, combining skin (implying someone so stingy they would "skin" or strip everything to save) and flint (a hard stone, symbolizing extreme tightness—as flint resists yielding anything). The imagery suggests a person who would "skin a flint" to extract nonexistent value, emphasizing their greed or unwillingness to spend.
The old landlord was such a skinflint that he refused to repair the leaking roof.
Don’t be a skinflint—tip the waiter properly for good service.
Her reputation as a skinflint made her unpopular at charity events.
He’s a notorious skinflint, reusing tea bags to save pennies.
Even for his daughter’s wedding, the skinflint opted for a cheap buffet.