pond scum

noun

1. any free-floating freshwater alga that forms a green scum on water.

pond scum

noun

1. a greenish layer floating on the surface of stagnant waters, consisting of various freshwater algae

Word History and Origins

Origin of pond scum¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

B. maeuseri presumably got its dinner in a very similar way, but also more flamingo-like, rippling tentatively through the shallows, slurping up mouthfuls of lagoon water and filtering out the pond scum.

From Salon

One might be: Greitens is like a fetid pool of political pond scum.

From Washington Post

A metaphor would be: Greitens is a fetid pool of political pond scum.

From Washington Post

Pond scum might seem like a dubious way to honor someone.

From Slate

Pond scum might seem like a dubious way to honor someone.

From Slate