💰 Dirt Cheap: Exploring the Legacy of Low-Cost Lucre 🪙
Ever found a deal so good you could roll in the savings? Well, metaphorically speaking, that’s what being “dirt cheap” is all about. Let’s dig into the rich history and amusing connotations of this age-old phrase.
Definition:
- Dirt Cheap: Extremely inexpensive; very low in cost.
Related Expressions:
- For a song - Acquired at a very low price.
- Cheap as chips - Very inexpensive (primarily British).
- A dime a dozen - Plentiful and thus inexpensive.
- Penny-pinching - Spending as little money as possible; cheap.
Synonyms:
- Bargain-basement
- Rock-bottom price
- Thrifty
Antonyms:
- Exorbitant
- Priceless
- Costly
Sample Quote:
“Then I thought, ‘Cheap is good, but free is better.’ And if you can’t get it free, get it dirt cheap.”
Literature & Films:
- “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens (1838) - featuring the famous quote, “I sold myself … cheap, dirt cheap!”
- “The Satyricon” by Petronius (A.D. 60) - “In those days food could be had for dirt” - one of the earliest renditions.
- Movies: “Slumdog Millionaire” speaks to the enduring wish for something exceptional from very humble means.
- Book: “The Undercover Economist” by Tim Harford – explores the fascinating world of pricing and deals.
Proverbs:
- “You get what you pay for.”
- “Penny wise, pound foolish.”
### Which phrase means 'very inexpensive'?
- [x] Dirt cheap
- [ ] Gold-plated
- [ ] Million-dollar
- [ ] Silver spoon
> **Explanation:** "Dirt cheap" is a well-known phrase meaning something is very inexpensive.
### Which of these relates to getting something for a very low cost?
- [ ] Breaking the bank
- [x] For a song
- [ ] Through the roof
- [ ] High and mighty
> **Explanation:** "For a song" means to obtain something at a very low cost.
### True or False: 'As cheap as chips' is primarily a British phrase.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Yes, it's predominately used in British English to mean something that's very affordable.
### Which idiom implies something is very common and thus inexpensive?
- [ ] Once in a blue moon
- [ ] Pick of the litter
- [x] A dime a dozen
- [ ] Gravy train
> **Explanation:** "A dime a dozen" indicates something found in such plentiful amounts that it’s very cheap.
Closing Thought: “Low cost is not always low value. Sometimes, the greatest pleasures in life come from the least expensive experiences.” - Penny Priceless
