Scrofulous

By Deane Barker • •

Definition: morally degenerate; corrupt.

“Scrofula” is a form of tuberculosis. Presumably, this is extrapolated to mean disease in general. Also, it sounds like “scruffy,” which fits (though the two words don’t seem to have related origins).

Why I Looked It Up

A novel had a character saying:

On the way back here we stopped at a scrofulous pub and laughed and drank ourselves sick.

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