moneybags
UK[ˈmʌnibæɡz]US[ˈmʌnibæɡz]
n
A very rich person, especially one who is ostentatious or parsimonious.
Morpheme Breakdown
money
bag
s
money
bag
s
Etymology
The word "moneybags" is a straightforward English compound noun formed by combining two common nouns. The first element, "money," traces its lineage to Latin moneta, originally an epithet for the goddess Juno in whose temple coins were minted in Rome. The second element, "bag," is of Germanic origin, entering English from Old Norse. The literal combination, "bags of money," was used from the 16th century as a vivid metaphor for a person of substantial wealth. By the late 17th century, the plural form "moneybags" had solidified as a singular noun, a humorous or derogatory epithet characterizing an individual not just by their riches but often by the perceived qualities—such as miserliness or flashiness—associated with hoarding or displaying wealth.
Analysis
Structure: money + bag + s
- money (Middle English, from Anglo-French moneie, from Latin moneta "mint, money"): The core concept of currency and wealth.
- bag (Middle English, from Old Norse baggi): A container for holding items.
- s (Old English): A suffix forming the regular plural of nouns.
Examples
The old moneybags refused to donate even a penny to the charity.
He was portrayed in the film as a greedy moneybags who cared for nothing but his fortune.
The neighborhood changed when a few tech moneybags moved in and built enormous mansions.