곱세크

Korean

Etymology

Probably a reference to the character Gobseck, from a novella written by French author Honore de Balzac of the same name. As the character Gobseck is frugal and greedy, the term likely originates from the implication that a person acts similarly to Gobseck.

Noun

곱세크 • (gopsekeu)

1. (North Korea, slang) miser, cheapskate

   Synonym: 구두쇠 (gudusoe)