Not Worth a Rap 💸🥀
Origin and Explanation
“Not worth a rap” means something is of no value or interest. The “rap” refers to a lowly halfpenny from 18th-century Ireland, which was so worthless that even counterfeiters could barely make anything from it. The writer Jonathan Swift describes this in his Drapier’s Letters (1724): “Copper halfpence or farthings . . . have been for some time very scarce and many counterfeits passed about under the name of raps.” By the early 19th century, “rap” had become synonymous with things or matters of negligible worth. For instance, W. H. Ainsworth in Rookwood (1834) mentions: “For the mare-with-three-legs [i.e., the gallows] I care not a rap.”
Related Terms and Synonyms
- Worthless
- Of no value
- Of no account
- Not worth a farthing
- Not worth a fig
- Not worth a hill of beans
- Not worth a tinker’s damn
Antonyms
- Valuable
- Worthwhile
- Priceless
- Invaluable
- Worth every penny
Humor-Filled Quotes
“Why spoil a good story with the truth when the story isn’t worth a rap?” – An Unknown Newspaper Editor 🎭
Proverbs Around the World 🌍
- “A penny saved is a penny earned.” 🪙
- “Worth its weight in gold.” 🏆
Literature, Books, & Songs 📚🎶
- Literature: Rookwood by W. H. Ainsworth—An 1834 tale that deftly uses the expression.
- Books: Undervalued but Essential: Unsung Heroes in History by R. Dictionary
- Songs: “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits—Though not directly about ‘worthlessness,’ it captures the cynicism around effortless earning.
Movies 🎥
- Slumdog Millionaire (2008)—A tale proving that worth doesn’t always come from money.
- The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)—Shows the grit and grace of attaining something valuable from nothing.
Quizzes about “Not Worth a Rap” ❓✨
Remember, language is colorful, rich, and wonderfully dramatic. Embrace the worth of words, even those deemed “worthless.”
Thank you for exploring “Not worth a rap” with me. See you edge of the dictionary!
— E. Valueless Ventures 🚀✨
