Close Fisted

close-fisted ( metaphor)
/ˌkloʊs ˈfɪstɪd/

also tight-fisted

Meaning

• unwilling to spend money or share resources; stingy.
• extremely frugal or miserly in financial matters.
• tight-fisted; reluctant to part with money or possessions.
• refusing to be generous or charitable with wealth or material items.
• describes a person who hoards money and avoids any unnecessary expenditure.

Example Sentences

1. He's so close-fisted that he never donates to charity, no matter how much he earns.
2. Despite her wealth, she remained close-fisted, refusing to pay for anything beyond necessities.
3. The close-fisted manager cut the budget for every department, leaving no room for improvements.
4. Being close-fisted, he avoids buying gifts even for his closest friends.
5. Their close-fisted approach to business caused tension among employees who felt underpaid.

Origin and History

The Literal Interpretation

The term "close-fisted" likely originates from a literal image of a person holding their fist tightly shut. A clenched fist visually represents someone holding onto something tightly, not allowing it to be released, which aligns with the idea of a person being reluctant to spend or share resources. The image of a closed fist effectively communicates the concept of hoarding or protecting one's money or possessions. This metaphor of a closed hand has been used for centuries to describe people who are unwilling to part with their wealth.

Figurative Metaphor

As a metaphor, "close-fisted" expands on the literal idea of a fist to express a broader behavior of stinginess or miserliness. A person who is "close-fisted" is thought to be someone who refuses to let money or material wealth slip through their hands. They metaphorically "hold onto" their wealth by keeping their fist tightly closed. This type of metaphor, where physical actions represent personality traits, is common in many languages and likely helped the term gain widespread use in English.

Historical Evolution

The term "close-fisted" appears to have evolved in English around the 16th century. While no specific date is universally agreed upon, records suggest that by the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the phrase was being used to describe misers or people who refused to share wealth. Its usage correlates with the broader development of language associated with trade, wealth, and social class during the Renaissance, a time when English society was becoming more aware of wealth distribution and economic frugality.

Earliest Printed Record

The earliest record of the term "close-fisted" appears in printed works as early as the 17th century. One such notable reference is from the book "A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles" by James Murray, first published in 1888, which traces some of the first recorded usages of the term. However, its usage may have roots in colloquial speech well before its first written appearance, as was common with many phrases of the time.

Theories about its Origin

1. Literal Coinage: Some scholars believe that the term originated directly from the visual metaphor of a tightly clenched fist, representing someone who was unwilling to let go of money. This imagery would have been easily understood in any society where money and possessions were highly valued.
2. Economic Theory: Another belief is that the phrase developed during periods of economic hardship, where people who were particularly frugal were described as "close-fisted." In times when resources were scarce, being careful or overly cautious with money became a survival tactic, leading to the adoption of such expressions.
3. Religious Influence: In some theories, the term could have been influenced by religious texts that emphasize generosity versus greed. Descriptions of greed in Christian theology, for example, often use metaphors of open hands (generosity) versus closed hands (greed), which might have popularized terms like "close-fisted" to describe ungenerous behavior.
4. Folk Imagery: In some folk traditions, the act of holding one's fist tightly was seen as a protective gesture, not only against giving but also against receiving bad fortune. Over time, this action became associated with an unwillingness to give away wealth, further solidifying the meaning of the term.

Synonyms

1. tight-fisted
2. penny-pinching