Human traits often take on hyperbolic, too exaggerated forms. Have you ever met with greedy people who refuse to share basic things with their neighbor, even on condition of return? The highest degree of evolution of such is treason. "Hunks" is a capacious term, often used in everyday life and in fiction. But contemporaries gradually lost their understanding of the word.
Where did the bondage come from?
It is impossible to establish etymology reliably. Philologists have gone through a lot of historical documents in search of answers. There is an assumption that “miser” is a term that speaks of an incredible strength of spirit to a person whose main goal is to not spend a single extra penny. Various experts suggest its ascent to different European languages ​​and in their own way explain the evolution of the definition:
- “Skra” - “pile, stone”;
- hide;
- sker - “to cut”;
- schrok - “glutton”;
- screnkan - “cheat,” etc.
Differences of phonetic nature do not allow accurate correlation of words with each other, but the semantic similarity is obvious. If a person is tight, miser, then neither compassionate pleas, nor severe necessity will force him to open his wallet. The money will remain in the chest, which, if necessary, he will bury away from home, so that no one will find.
How bad is that?
The term implies excessive stinginess. To such an extent that a character trait becomes indecent in the eyes of others, and no justification can be found for it. History knows many examples when millionaires tear up clothes to holes or alter them. And they didn’t turn to professional tailors, but with their own hands, with the help of a needle and a thread, they eliminated gaps. Such a prototype is a canonical, everyday hacker.
The most famous greed is considered to be Getty Green, who was born and lived in wealth, married a millionaire, but all this time she persistently soaked and smoothed disposable napkins for reuse, she carefully extinguished candles before the guests left. And the cinder the next morning went to the market, so that even in such an unsightly form to benefit and replenish family capital. Legends circulated about her worn heeled shoes.
Who can be called that?
Launched cases on the verge of a comedy plot and mental insanity are practically not found. For residents of the 21st century, “miser” is a synonym for “greedy”, and representatives of the older generation use it most often. The word is more vivid, sonorous. But pronounce it only when you want to prick the interlocutor, or in an ironic manner, ridiculing the excessive thrift of a loved one. Otherwise, refrain from negative characteristics, since such a definition can offend.