“Scrooge” means a person who is very stingy with money and generally grumpy about generosity or celebration, especially around Christmas. It comes from the character Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ story “A Christmas Carol,” whose name became a synonym for a miserly, joy-killing person.

Core meaning

  • A scrooge is:
    • A miser; someone who hates spending money or sharing resources.
    • Someone cold, unfriendly, and not into fun, gifts, or celebrations.
  • In everyday talk, if someone says “Don’t be such a scrooge,” they mean “Don’t be so tight or negative about spending or enjoying the occasion.”

Origin of the word

  • “Scrooge” comes from Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character in Dickens’ 1843 novella “A Christmas Carol.”
  • At the start of the story he is an old, bitter man who loves money and hates Christmas, charity, and social warmth.
  • The character was so memorable that his name turned into a common noun for any miserly, Christmas‑hating person.

Grammar and usage

  • As a noun :
    • “My landlord is a real scrooge about repairs.”
  • As a proper name (the character):
    • “Ebenezer Scrooge changes by the end of the story.”
  • As a verb / adjective in informal use:
    • “Don’t scrooge on the holiday bonus this year.”
    • “He’s being really scrooge about the party.”

Modern / trending context

  • Online and in forums, calling someone a “scrooge” usually:
    • Criticizes them for being cheap, especially during holidays.
    • Suggests they’re trying to “ruin the mood” for everyone else.
  • Around Christmas, you’ll often see headlines or posts like:
    • “Is your boss a holiday scrooge?”
    • “How not to be the office scrooge this year.”

Quick recap

  • “Scrooge” = miserly, joy‑killing, anti‑Christmas type of person.
  • Comes from Dickens’ Ebenezer Scrooge.
  • Used jokingly or critically when someone is too tight with money or refuses to join in celebrations.