Origin:
The term likely originated in the 16th century, combining two words:
* Skin: This refers to the animal hide used to make wallets and purses in those days.
* Flint: This refers to a hard, spark-producing stone.
Meaning:
The original meaning of "skinflint" was a person who used a flint to make a small hole in their leather purse or wallet. This hole would be used to steal small amounts of money, or even to prevent coins from being fully inserted. The idea was that the person could then claim the money was lost or never entered the purse.
Evolution:
Over time, the word "skinflint" became a general term for someone who was stingy, miserly, or unwilling to spend money. The association with a person who steals from their own wallet through a hole symbolizes the ultimate act of miserliness.
Usage:
Today, "skinflint" is still used to describe someone who is extremely tight with their money, often to the point of being considered mean or unfair. It's considered a more informal and derogatory term than "miser" or "cheapskate."