SHORT CHANGE Meaning and
Definition
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Short change is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of providing someone with less than what they deserved, expected, or were promised, typically in terms of money, goods, or services. This phrase is often used in situations where individuals feel cheated, deceived, or slighted due to their receiving an inadequate or unfair treatment.
In a literal sense, short change typically occurs when someone who is owed a specific amount of money receives less than what is owed to them as a result of intentional or unintentional error. For instance, a cashier may mistakenly give a customer less money than they are owed as change after a purchase.
However, short change is more commonly used in a figurative manner to describe situations beyond monetary matters. It can be applied to scenarios where individuals feel deprived or taken advantage of in various contexts, such as being given inadequate compensation for their efforts, having their needs or expectations unmet, or being subjected to an inferior quality or quantity of goods or services.
In summary, short change refers to the act of providing someone with less than what is deserved, expected, or promised, whether it be in terms of money, goods, services, or overall treatment. The term reflects a sense of disappointment, dissatisfaction, and a perception of injustice or unfairness.
Common Misspellings for SHORT CHANGE
- shortchange
- short-change
- shorfchange
- shotchange
- shorchange
- shortchage
- shortchang
- ahort change
- zhort change
- xhort change
- dhort change
- ehort change
- whort change
- sgort change
- sbort change
- snort change
- sjort change
- suort change
- syort change
- shirt change
Etymology of SHORT CHANGE
The etymology of the phrase "short change" can be traced back to the world of commerce and currency. The term "short" itself means lacking or inadequate, while "change" refers to the act of exchanging one form of currency for another. Combined, "short change" signifies receiving less money in return than what is expected or owed.
The expression originated in the United States in the late 19th or early 20th century, primarily within the context of financial transactions. It initially referred to the deliberate act of giving someone less change (coins) than they were entitled to. This practice was often employed by dishonest merchants or individuals, aiming to cheat customers out of their rightful money.
Over time, the phrase "short change" extended beyond literal financial transactions and began to encompass instances where people were cheated or given less than they deserved in various other areas of life.
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