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Grinch
01
a joyless, miserly, or bad-tempered person who dislikes fun or generosity
Informal
Offensive
Grammatical Information
What is the origin of the term "grinch" and how is it used?
"grinch" is a slang term that originated from Dr. Seuss's 1957 children's book How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, in which the Grinch is a character who is joyless, miserly, and dislikes fun or generosity. The name became a metaphor for any person exhibiting similar behavior: sour, stingy, or ill-tempered. It has since entered informal speech, media, and pop culture to describe people who spoil enjoyment or act grudgingly. The term is mildly derogatory, often playful or teasing rather than harshly offensive, and is context-dependent.
Examples
The grinch neighbor complained about every holiday light display on the street.
