Grouch

/ɡraʊtʃ/ noun, verb

Definition

A person who complains a lot and is often bad-tempered, or to complain grumpily about something.

Etymology

From French 'grouche,' possibly from Old Norse roots meaning to grumble. The word entered English in the early 1800s. It evolved from simple complaining to describing a person's overall grumpy personality.

Kelly Says

Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street perfectly embodies this word—and children naturally understand the word better through his character! There's actually no connection between 'grouch' and 'grouch' despite how similar they sound.

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