Definition & Meaning of "waste of oxygen"in English

What is the origin of the term "waste of oxygen" and how is it used?

"Waste of oxygen" is a slang phrase for a person regarded as useless, worthless, or completely ineffectual. It emerged in English in the late 20th century, using a literal metaphor: a human who consumes oxygen, a basic necessity for life, without contributing anything valuable, implying total uselessness. The phrase is used in informal, insulting, or hyperbolic contexts to express strong disdain for someone's actions or character. It is derogatory, context-dependent, and never neutral, though not vulgar.