measly
The origin and history of measly.
Etymology
From measle (an old word for a skin blemish caused by measles or, in pigs, tapeworm cysts) plus -y; the sense shifted from "diseased/spotty" to "pathetically small".
The origin and history of measly.
From measle (an old word for a skin blemish caused by measles or, in pigs, tapeworm cysts) plus -y; the sense shifted from "diseased/spotty" to "pathetically small".