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a person, typically a woman, who enters into a romantic relationship with someone solely for financial gain
What is the origin of the idiom "gold digger" and when to use it?
"Gold digger" is an English slang term that appeared in the early 20th century, around the 1910s, and became widely popular through American theater and jazz culture. It literally evokes the image of someone "digging" for gold, used metaphorically to describe a person—usually a woman—who pursues a romantic relationship primarily for money or material advantage. The term is commonly used in informal speech, media, and popular culture to criticize or mock perceived opportunism in relationships. It is derogatory, often gendered, and can be offensive when applied to someone without justification, though it is sometimes used humorously or ironically.
a miner who digs or pans for gold in a gold field
