Cheap skate

Posted by Edward Altizer on June 13, 2007

Reviewing 'cheapskate', consider that the earliest use, and still current (this is the way I learned it) was 'cheapsgate', 'gate' from the gate into the medieval city where the 'cheaps' or merchants were. In some google searches I find people calling each other, or themselves, cheapsgates, and only a few months ago there was a computer application "Cheapsgate". I don't see it now.

I'm puzzled that the early explanation has nearly disappeared, and so rapidly.