Candlewaster

/ˈkændəlˌweɪstər/ noun

Definition

A person who wastes or carelessly burns through candles, or someone who burns candles unnecessarily.

Etymology

Compound of 'candle,' 'waste,' and '-er.' Since candles were expensive before industrial production, wasteful use of them was frowned upon and candlewasters could be criticized or taxed.

Kelly Says

Calling someone a 'candlewaster' would have been a genuine insult in the pre-industrial era because candles were expensive and time-consuming to make—so wasting them was like wasting money and labor!

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