Paul H. Gilbert’s syndicated newspaper column of “Daffynitions” (humorous or “daffy” definitions) included the following in January 1947:
 
“MISER: A man who lets the rest of the world go buy.”
 
The definition has been frequently reprinted, often with “person” replacing “man.”
 
 
19 January 1947, Seattle WA) Times, “Daffynitions” by Paul H. Gilbert, Magazine, pg. 13, col. 4:
MISER: A man who lets the rest of the world go buy.
 
29 March 1949, Greensboro (NC) Daily News, “Today’s Chuckle,” pg. 1, col. 4:
Miser: One who’s perfectly content to let the rest of the world go buy.—Weekly Progress.
 
Google Books
Handbook of Humor for All Occasions
By Jacob Morton Braude
London: Bailey Bros. & Swinfen
1958
Pg. 306:
Miser: one who’s perfectly content to let the rest of the world go buy.
 
Google Books
The Sourcebook of Humor
By James C. Hefley
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Pub. House
1968
Pg. 183:
Miser: Man who lets the rest of the world go buy.
 
15 July 1971, Markham Tribune (Harvey, IL), pg. 15, col. 4:
Definition
Miser: Person who lets the rest of the world go buy.
 
Old Fulton NY Post Cards
6 December 1982, The News Chronicle (Pawling, NY), “Tale Lites” by Eric David Clark, pg. 5, col. 1:
Zeb says a miser is a person who lets the world go buy.
 
Google Books
The Mammoth Book of Humor
By Geoff Tibballs
New York, NY: Carroll & Graf
2000
Pg. 342:
Miser—A person who lets the world go buy.
 
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Miser – a person who lets the world go buy.
3:24 PM - 6 Apr 2015