grouch

grouch
grouch (n.) "ill-tempered person," 1896, earlier "state of irritable glumness" (1890, in expressions such as to have a grouch on), U.S. college student slang, of uncertain origin, possibly from grutching "complaint, grumbling" (see GRUTCH (Cf. grutch)).
The Grouch, on the other Hand, gave a correct Imitation of a Bear with a Sore Toe. His Conversation was largely made up of Grunts. He carried a Facial Expression that frightened little Children in Street Cars and took all the Starch out of sentimental Young Ladies. He seemed perpetually to carry the Hoof-Marks of a horrible Nightmare. [George Ade, "People You Know," 1902]
The verb is 1916, from the noun. Related: Grouched; grouching. Grouch bag "purse for carrying hidden money" (1908) is the source of the nickname of U.S. comedian Julius "Groucho" Marx (1890-1977), who supposedly carried his money in one to poker games.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • grouch´i|ly — grouch|y «GROW chee», adjective, grouch|i|er, grouch|i|est. Informal. tending to grumble or complain; surly; ill tempered. –grouch´i|ly, adverb. – …   Useful english dictionary

  • grouch|y — «GROW chee», adjective, grouch|i|er, grouch|i|est. Informal. tending to grumble or complain; surly; ill tempered. –grouch´i|ly, adverb. – …   Useful english dictionary

  • grouch — (grouch), n. A bad tempered person. Syn: grump, crank, churl, crosspatch. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • grouch — grouch; grouch·i·ly; grouch·i·ness; …   English syllables

  • grouch — v. i. to complain habitually, especially about minor or routine annoyances. Syn: grumble, gripe. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • grouch — [n] person who complains a lot bear*, bellyacher*, bug*, crab*, crank, crosspatch*, curmudgeon, faultfinder, griper, grouser, growler, grumbler, grump*, kicker*, malcontent, moaner, sorehead*, sourpuss*, whiner; concepts 412,423 grouch [v]… …   New thesaurus

  • grouch — ☆ grouch [grouch ] vi. [< earlier grutch < ME grucchen: see GRUDGE] to grumble or complain in a sulky way n. 1. a person who grouches continually 2. a grumbling or sulky mood 3. a complaint …   English World dictionary

  • grouch — informal ► NOUN 1) a habitually grumpy person. 2) a complaint or grumble. ► VERB ▪ complain ill temperedly; grumble. ORIGIN from Old French grouchier to grumble, murmur …   English terms dictionary

  • grouch — I UK [ɡraʊtʃ] / US noun [countable] Word forms grouch : singular grouch plural grouches informal 1) someone who complains a lot or is often in a bad mood 2) a complaint II UK [ɡraʊtʃ] / US verb [intransitive] Word forms grouch : present tense… …   English dictionary

  • grouch — grouch1 [grautʃ] n informal [Date: 1800 1900; Origin: Probably from grutch complaint (14 19 centuries), from Old French grouchier to complain ] 1.) someone who is always complaining ▪ an old grouch 2.) something unimportant that you complain… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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