haggle
HAG-uhl
/ˈhæɡ.əl/
To dispute or bargain persistently, especially over the cost of something.
Implies a back-and-forth struggle over small amounts; often associated with street markets or informal settings.
The story behind the word. The word 'haggle' comes from the Old Norse 'haggva', meaning 'to chop'. It originally referred to chopping wood into small pieces. Over time, it evolved to describe the way a buyer and seller 'chop' away at a price until they reach a middle ground.
Word relationships
- barter: Barter specifically refers to exchanging goods for other goods rather than money.
- quibble: Quibble focuses on arguing over trivial matters, not necessarily price.
- comply: To simply agree to the stated price without argument.
Commonly confused with
- negotiate: Negotiate is broader and more formal; haggling is specifically about the price of a single item.
Word family
- haggler (noun): A person who haggles.
- haggling (noun): The act of bargaining over a price.
Collocations
- haggle over the price
- haggle with a vendor
- start to haggle
Example sentences
- "He would haggle for a farthing with a beggar." Describing a character's frugal nature in a classic novel. (A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens)
- "If you don't haggle at the Grand Bazaar, you will likely pay double the actual value." A traveler describing their experience in a foreign market.
Memory hook
Think of a 'hag' (old woman) in a fairy tale trying to 'gle' (gleefully) lower the price of a magic potion. Chop the price down.
When not to use
Avoid in formal corporate contract discussions where 'negotiate' is more professional.
Fun facts
- In some cultures, refusing to haggle is considered an insult to the merchant's skill.
Related words
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