"Cast offs" is a compound word that refers to items that have been discarded or given away. The spelling of "cast offs" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): /kæst ɒfs/. The first syllable "cast" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, as in "at." The second syllable "offs" uses the "o" sound as in "not." Together, the word is pronounced with stress on the first syllable, and is commonly used in contexts such as second-hand clothing or discarded goods.
Cast offs, noun
1. Items or possessions that have been discarded or no longer wanted by their original owners, typically due to being considered old, worn out, or obsolete. These items are usually given away, donated to charity, sold at a greatly reduced price, or simply abandoned.
For example, a person may decide to clean out their closet and donate their cast offs to a thrift store.
2. In the context of sports, particularly team sports, “cast offs” refer to athletes who have been released or cut from their previous team and are subsequently acquired or signed by another team. These players are often deemed surplus to requirements or not meeting the desired skillset or performance standards of their former team.
For instance, a professional soccer player could be considered a cast off when they are released by one team and then picked up by another team who believes they can contribute to their success.
3. In fishing and angling, “cast offs” refer to the act of discarding or releasing fish that were caught and then let go back into the water, ensuring their survival and the sustainability of the fishing ecosystem.
For instance, catch-and-release fishing practices promote the idea of cast offs when anglers catch fish for enjoyment or sport, and then gently release them back into their natural habitat.
The word "cast offs" is derived from the verb "cast off", which dates back to the late 16th century. The verb "cast off" originally meant to discard or get rid of something, often by throwing it away. The term "cast offs" emerged around the mid-19th century and refers to items or possessions that have been discarded or thrown away by someone but are still usable or in good condition for someone else. The idea is that these items have been "cast off" by their original owner, making them available for others to acquire or reuse.