grist

 
Pronunciation: /grɪst/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1corn that is ground to make flour.
  • malt crushed to make mash for brewing.
  • 2useful material, especially to support an argument: the research provided the most sensational grist for opponents of tobacco

Phrases

grist to the (or one's) mill

useful experience, material, or knowledge: all this free publicity was grist to his mill

Origin:

Old English 'grinding', of Germanic origin; related to grind