don’t give/care a rap for
Definition:
“Don’t give/care a rap for” – Worthless to me; without any interest or value.
Etymology:
The “rap” in question was a base halfpenny that held the minuscule value of only half a farthing. It was circulating in Ireland during the early eighteenth century due to a scarcity of small coins. Jonathan Swift described it in 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.”
Subsequently, the name “rap” was adopted for anything with little value by the early nineteenth century. As W. H. Ainsworth wrote in Rookwood (1834):
“For the mare-with-three-legs [i.e., the gallows] I care not a rap.”
Synonyms:
- Couldn’t care less
- Don’t give a fig
- Don’t give a hoot
- Don’t give a jot
- Don’t give a monkey’s
Antonyms:
- Care deeply about
- Genuinely value
- Give importance to
Fun Quotes:
“I care not a rap for any brilliance but that which goes directly to my aim.” – William Hazlitt
Related Expressions:
- Not worth a tuppence: Indicating something is utterly worthless.
- Not worth a penny: The common denominator for valuelessness everywhere.
- Couldn’t give two hoots: You’re probably not the owl enthusiast you thought.
Literature & Cultural References:
- Drapier’s Letters by Jonathan Swift 🌐
- Rookwood by W. H. Ainsworth
- “Hol’ up, We Dem Boyz,” an anthem of nonchalance by Wiz Khalifa
Suggested Reading:
- Bartleby, the Scrivener by Herman Melville 📖: Meet a guy who doesn’t give a rap about anything at work.
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 📚: Lady Catherine de Bourgh sure gives a rap, Elizabeth on the other hand, less so.
Suggested Movies:
- Office Space (1999) 🎬: A comedy showcasing a man who couldn’t care less about his mundane office job.
- The Big Lebowski (1998) 🕶️: The Dude personifies the “couldn’t care less” attitude.
Suggested Music:
- “Don’t Give a Damn” by the Rolling Stones 🎸: There’s irony in revealing your apathy with a rock anthem.
Quizzes:
Inspirational Thought
Indifference can sometimes seem like a guise of strength, but remember – investing care in what matters can turn pennies into fortunes. 🌟 Νow go out there and show the world what you truly give a rap about!
- Eleanor Expression
