I asked my dad what this word meant when I was about 12. He gave me a one-word answer.

Even though it wasn't a complete or comprehensive definition, I've remembered it ever since. 😉

29 minutes ago, Cia said:

Dads are hilarious, aren't they? I still remembered when mine described me as "rangy" in build as a teen. Sure, that's what every 15 year old wants to look like. Then again, I did live in my hiking boots.

I can totally picture the hiking boots.

Mine called me sui generis. 🙄 He assured me it was a good thing, but when I told my sister I was going to look it up (in, like, a dictionary made out of paper, cause that's all we had back then), she said, "Don't bother. It means bratty." 

I learned the meaning of this word from my maternal grandfather when I was very young, because he would always tell me that if I had any moxie, meaning determination, I wouldn't end up like  the rest of my father's family.  He thought they were lazy and lacked willpower to ever make anything of themselves.  He would describe them as freeloaders. meaning they lived off of the generosity of others and shirked any opportunity that required hard work, and that's why I started working on the neighbor's farm during the summer when I was twelve and eventually worked my way through college.  

48 minutes ago, Bill W said:

 I started working on the neighbor's farm during the summer when I was twelve and eventually worked my way through college.  

Incredibly impressive. Well done!

56 minutes ago, drpaladin said:

Hit her for it yet?

I was a precocious little thing. So, yes. 😄