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EnolaGayTibbets1
What‘s the difference between “stingy” ,"close","cheap", ”parsimonious“and”niggardly“?
Ex:
(1) The company was too stingy/close/cheap/parsimonious/niggardly to raise salaries.
(2) She's always been very stingy/close/cheap/parsimonious/niggardly with her money.
(3) Please don't be stingy/close/cheap/parsimonious/niggardly.
I would much appreciate it if you could help me solve this difficulty on my way to English learning.
Thank you very much for your reading : )
Jan 2, 2023 7:08 AM
Answers · 4
1
I beg to differ, "niggard" is not related at all to n**ger. It comes from old Norse. Niggard is still used in UK English, just as "parsimonious" is. They are generally used in a derogatory way. I have often heard it in Scottish English. As to "close", you will also hear it in the UK but it is mostly used when your financial condition makes it difficult for you to spend more; you do not have the choice. Unlike with "niggard" or "parsimonious", which imply that you make the choice.
Here are examples:
She lived a parsimonious life, a niggard of her food, even counting the grains of rice she would cook for her dinner. She lived a sad life and died without anyone holding her hand, but with money in the bank.
When they had their first paid employment, they were so close, they could not even afford to buy the bus ticket to work.
January 2, 2023
1
Stingy and cheap mean the same but stingy has the nuance of “greed”. You’re so cheap, you wouldn’t even help your mom with money. Cheap could be the opposite of expensive or it could mean poorly made
As for the other three: I’ve never heard “close” used in the above context and I’ve never heard parsimonious used at all. It may only appear in writing/books.
As for the last word: it sounds way too similar to an extremely offensive word so it’s never used. Ever.
For your examples:
1) the company was too cheap to raise salaries.
2) she’s always been very stingy with her money.
3) please don’t be stingy.
January 2, 2023
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EnolaGayTibbets1
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Learning Language
English
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