Doitkin

/ˈdɔɪtkɪn/ noun

Definition

A tiny or insignificant person or creature; something very small in value or size.

Etymology

From 'doit' (a worthless coin) combined with '-kin' (a diminutive suffix meaning 'little,' as in 'lambkin'). Created by compounding a value word with a size word.

Kelly Says

Medieval English loved these compound diminutives—'doitkin' stacks up the meaning to describe something so small and worthless it's like calling it a 'tiny worthless thing.' The '-kin' suffix comes from Dutch and shows how language communities traded these linguistic building blocks.

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