shoddy

n. [ Perhaps fr. Shed, v. t.; as meaning originally, waste stuff shed or thrown off; cf. dial. shod to shed, and E. Shed a parting, separation, Shode a parting. ] 1. A fibrous material obtained by “deviling, ” or tearing into fibers, refuse woolen goods, old stockings, rags, druggets, etc. See Mungo. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fluffy, fibrous waste from wool carding, worsted spinning, or weaving of woolens. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

3. A fabric of inferior quality made of, or containing a large amount of, shoddy. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The great quantity of shoddy goods furnished as army supplies in the late Civil War in the United States gave wide currency to the word, and it came to be applied to persons who pretend to a higher position in society than that to which their breeding or worth entitles them; this term is now (1997) rarely used in that sense. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]