spendthrift etymology

Etymology:

  • Old English "spendthrift" (recorded from the 13th century)
  • From "spend" (from Old Norse "spenda," meaning "to bestow, spend") + "thrift" (from Old English "þrift," meaning "thriving condition, prosperity")

Meaning:

  • A person who spends money extravagantly and recklessly, without considering the consequences.
  • A wasteful person who squanders their wealth or resources.

Origin:

The term "spendthrift" originated in medieval England, where it was used to describe individuals who were excessively generous or lavish in their spending habits. In those days, "thrift" was a desirable quality associated with saving money, accumulating wealth, and economic prosperity.

However, some individuals went to the extreme of overspending and wasting their resources, earning them the label "spendthrift." This behavior often led to financial ruin and social disapproval.

Over time, the meaning of "spendthrift" evolved to encompass not only those who were overly generous but also those who were simply reckless and irresponsible with their finances. It became a term used to describe people who lacked financial discipline and often indulged in extravagant or frivolous purchases.

spendthrift relate terms

  • spend

    Etymology The word spend comes from the Middle English word spenden which in turn co

  • expend

    Etymology The word expend originates from the Latin verb expendere which means to w

  • dispense

    Etymology Dispense derives from the Late Latin word dispensare meaning to weigh out

  • spent

    Etymology of Spent The word spent originates from the Old English verb spendan whi

  • thrift

    Etymology The word thrift comes from the Middle English word thrifte which in turn d

  • thrive

    Etymology The word thrive originates from the Old Norse word þrífask which means

  • thrifty

    Etymology Middle English thrifty from Old English þriftig thriving successful Ger

  • spendthrift

    Etymology Old English spendthrift recorded from the 13th century From spend from

  • extravagant

    Etymology The word extravagant comes from the Late Latin word extravagans which mea

  • prodigal

    Etymology The word prodigal is derived from the Latin word prodīgus which means wa

  • profligate

    Etymology The word profligate comes from the Latin word proflīgātus which means

  • scapegoat

    Etymology Scape Latin goat Goat Old English male goat Meaning Noun A p

  • cocktail

    Etymology The word cocktail is believed to have originated from the French word coque

  • schedule

    Etymology Old French eschedual Latin schedula Greek schedē a writing tablet Mea

  • education

    Etymology The word education originates from the Latin word educere which literally

  • attention

    Etymology The word attention comes from the Latin word attendere which means to dir

  • deadline

    Etymology deadline n early 1900s originally in journalism from dead adj line n

  • statistics

    Etymology Ancient Greek στατιστική statistikē meaning pertaining to the