Comments on: I Hate The Word “Frugal” http://weakonomics.com/2009/02/03/i-hate-the-word-frugal/ Everything That's Wrong With You And Your Money Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: frugalcpa http://weakonomics.com/2009/02/03/i-hate-the-word-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-1528 frugalcpa Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:32:59 +0000 http://weakonomics.com/?p=966#comment-1528 Ahhh. I should have read this post before I picked my online name! Then again, cheap has much more negative connotations. When I go to a restaurant, I may be frugal by not getting an appetizer and sticking with water. But I'd hit myself if I was ever too cheap to pay a nice tip (even when it's not necesarily well deserved, though that's another discussion entirely). Ahhh. I should have read this post before I picked my online name!

Then again, cheap has much more negative connotations. When I go to a restaurant, I may be frugal by not getting an appetizer and sticking with water. But I’d hit myself if I was ever too cheap to pay a nice tip (even when it’s not necesarily well deserved, though that’s another discussion entirely).

]]> By: the ginger avenger http://weakonomics.com/2009/02/03/i-hate-the-word-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-1520 the ginger avenger Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:18:20 +0000 http://weakonomics.com/?p=966#comment-1520 Being a fan of words and the context they're used in, I find this pretty interesting. I'm certainly a frugal person, and to a large extent pride myself on being a terrible/brilliant consumer, depending on how you look at it. I've often thought that being called/referred to as "cheap" in America had a much more negative connotation to it than any version of frugal...it's almost an insult at this point. When people have accused me of being cheap, I've often replied that I was frugal, and that there is a huge difference. Frugal implies a chosen lifestyle; cheap implies something else or something. Eh. But I do agree that the "ugal" part of frugal is one of those syllabic/phonetic combinations in the English language that's kind of fun to say, but also inspires a certain level of brain vomit. Kind of like the "oy" sound in ointment, moist, or the name of journalist Bill Moyers. The "gurt" in yogurt is another one. Hooray for phonics? Being a fan of words and the context they’re used in, I find this pretty interesting. I’m certainly a frugal person, and to a large extent pride myself on being a terrible/brilliant consumer, depending on how you look at it. I’ve often thought that being called/referred to as “cheap” in America had a much more negative connotation to it than any version of frugal…it’s almost an insult at this point. When people have accused me of being cheap, I’ve often replied that I was frugal, and that there is a huge difference. Frugal implies a chosen lifestyle; cheap implies something else or something. Eh.

But I do agree that the “ugal” part of frugal is one of those syllabic/phonetic combinations in the English language that’s kind of fun to say, but also inspires a certain level of brain vomit. Kind of like the “oy” sound in ointment, moist, or the name of journalist Bill Moyers. The “gurt” in yogurt is another one. Hooray for phonics?

]]> By: Very Evolved http://weakonomics.com/2009/02/03/i-hate-the-word-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-1519 Very Evolved Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:45:17 +0000 http://weakonomics.com/?p=966#comment-1519 I too like the principles behind frugal but not the images that the words conjures up. Just goes to show that language is fluid and not fixed. It evolves over time just like our culture. Who knows what frugal will mean in a generation or two from now, perhaps it might even be a swear word. Gosh Darnit I sure do hate those frugals. Patrick I too like the principles behind frugal but not the images that the words conjures up.
Just goes to show that language is fluid and not fixed. It evolves over time just like our culture.

Who knows what frugal will mean in a generation or two from now, perhaps it might even be a swear word.

Gosh Darnit I sure do hate those frugals.

Patrick

]]> By: Matt @ StupidCents http://weakonomics.com/2009/02/03/i-hate-the-word-frugal/comment-page-1/#comment-1518 Matt @ StupidCents Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:27:39 +0000 http://weakonomics.com/?p=966#comment-1518 Funny that you mentioned the lunch thing. I pack a lunch every day because it's cheaper, healthier and convenient. While my co-workers don't use the word frugal or cheap to describe me, they do avoid asking me to lunch. I feel a bit alienated. Maybe it's just my worn out tie die shirt and hemp necklace that I wear every day. I kid, I kid! Stupidly Yours, Matt Funny that you mentioned the lunch thing. I pack a lunch every day because it’s cheaper, healthier and convenient. While my co-workers don’t use the word frugal or cheap to describe me, they do avoid asking me to lunch. I feel a bit alienated.

Maybe it’s just my worn out tie die shirt and hemp necklace that I wear every day. I kid, I kid!

Stupidly Yours,

Matt

]]>