noun
something of little value
-
his promise is not worth a damn
-
not worth one red cent
-
not worth shucks
• Syn:
• Hypernyms: ↑worthlessness, ↑ineptitude
* * *
n. a one-cent coin; a penny
■ [usu. with negative] the smallest amount of money
some of the people don't deserve a single red cent
Origin:
early 19th cent.: so named because it was formerly made of copper
* * *
(especially after a negative) a very small amount of money
•
I didn't get a red cent for all my work.
Word Origin:
[red cent] early 19th cent.: so named because it was formerly made of copper.
* * *
red centsee red a. 3 c.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.