noun

scum

scum

Green scum covered the pond.

Green scum covered the pond.

He called the criminals scum.

He called the criminals scum.

scum ((on a surface)) Scum formed on the top of the soup.

((sb. is)) scum He is absolute scum.

Synonyms: (literal) froth, film; (figurative) dregs, vermin, trash.

From a Germanic root related to 'skim', as in skimming something off a surface.

The word sounds harsh and unpleasant, just like the things it describes.

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