Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

I would like to know the word "spendthrift." I know this word which means somebody who spends money recklessly or extravagantly.

But you know that spendthrift consists of spend + thrift. If you were not a native English speaker, they think the word means somebody who spend economically.

Do you happen to have the wrong idea--to catch the meaning of "spend economically" sometimes?

Thank you in advance.

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello Learner -

Yes, it might be easy to misunderstand the word.

'thrift' used to mean 'estate' / 'inheritence' or 'savings'

a 'spendthrift' was someone who would spend the 'family fortune'

usually drinking and/or gambling.

These days, you are more likely to hear that someone

'spends money like water'.

(Given environmental conditions...the expression might well change)

Philo

[learner12]

Dear Philo Kevetch:

Thank you so much for your kind explanations.

Have a nice weekend.

[Lorikeet]

In fact, it is only rather recently that I finally learned what that word meant, because I always thought it was the opposite too.