Shoddy
/ˈʃɒd.i/noun
Of poor quality or made from recycled fibers, especially reclaimed wool.
Did you know?In the 19th century, shoddy was made by mechanically shredding old woolen rags and respinning their fibers, making it an early form of textile recycling.
Etymological Timeline
Early 19th Century
English
shoddy
“A textile term of uncertain origin referring to fibers recovered from old woolen rags.”
1832
English
shoddy
“A coarse or inferior woolen cloth made from reclaimed fibers.”
Mid-19th Century
English
shoddy
“Recycled wool fiber or cloth produced by shredding and respinning worn textiles.”
1860s
English
shoddy
“Used figuratively for something cheaply or poorly made.”
Modern English
English
shoddy
“Inferior in quality, workmanship, or reliability; also describing reclaimed textile material.”