Shoddy properly means the flue and fluff thrown off from cloth in the process of weaving. This flue, being mixed with new wool,
is woven into a cloth called shoddy- i.e. cloth made of the flue “shod” or thrown off. Shoddy is also made of old garments torn
up and re-spun. The term is used for any loose, sleazy cloth, and metaphorically for literature of an inferior character compiled
from other works. (Shed, provincial pret. “shod;” shoot, obsolete pret. shotten.)
Shoddy characters. Persons of tarnished reputation, like cloth made of shoddy or refuse wool.