Entry: That Ain’t Hay
Definition: Describes something significant, typically a notably large amount of money, but can refer to anything substantial.
Synonyms:
- Not a small amount
- Quite a bit
- A pretty penny
Related Terms:
- A pretty penny
- Big bucks
- A king’s ransom
- Small potatoes (antonym)
- Chicken feed (antonym)
Humor-filled Quote: “I’m not saying Bill’s bonus was big, but the IRS sent him a singing telegram. That ain’t hay!”
Proverbs:
- “Penny wise, pound foolish.”
- “A small leak will sink a great ship” (Referring to the opposite sentiment, i.e., small things matter)
References:
- Motion Picture: The Killers (1946): “I’m out ten G’s and that ain’t hay for me these days.”
- Television Serial: Sally Jessy Raphaël (1994): “Seven husbands! That ain’t hay!”
- Television: Breaking Bad often emphasizes the tremendous amounts of money involved with illicit trades and business decisions that “ain’t hay.”
Literature:
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Though not a direct reference, the extravagant lifestyles and significant expenditures depicted could definitely fall under the descriptor “ain’t hay.”
Books:
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki – A contemporary examination of wealth that might inspire one to think “that ain’t hay.”
Songs:
- “Money” by Pink Floyd: Everyone’s favorite musing on cash, “Money” underscores the sentiment that anything involving significant funds “ain’t hay.”
Movies:
- Wall Street directed by Oliver Stone: The high-stakes world of Wall Street underscores how big decisions and enormous sums of money—definitely “ain’t hay”.
Intriguing and Engaging Titles:
- “💵 That Ain’t Hay: When Small Potatoes Don’t Measure Up to Big Bucks”
- “💰 Dollars, Cents, and Everything Immense: Hay Isn’t Always Straw”
- “🌾 From Chicken Feed to Avalanche: An Exploration of Significant Sums”
### What does "That Ain't Hay" typically refer to?
- [x] A significant amount of money or something substantial
- [ ] A type of feed for livestock
- [ ] A moment of little importance
- [ ] A scenic landscape
> **Explanation:** "That Ain't Hay" generally refers to a sizable amount of money or something noteworthy and significant, not trivial matters.
### Choose the phrase synonymous with "That Ain't Hay":
- [ ] A drop in the bucket
- [x] A pretty penny
- [ ] A dime a dozen
- [ ] On the house
> **Explanation:** "A pretty penny" is a synonym that means something costly or of significant value, similar to "That Ain't Hay".
### In which context can "That Ain't Hay" not be used appropriately?
- [x] Describing a negligible issue
- [ ] Talking about a large sum of money
- [ ] Expressing the importance of an event
- [ ] Mentioning a substantial task
> **Explanation:** "That Ain't Hay" is not suitable for describing something trivial or insignificant; it's meant for situations involving considerable amounts.
### True or False: "That Ain't Hay" originated as a slang term predominantly used in America.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True. "That Ain't Hay" originated from American slang, primarily used to describe large amounts of money and later extended to other significant contexts.
### Which movie features a character saying "I’m out ten G’s and that ain’t hay for me these days"?
- [ ] The Godfather
- [x] The Killers
- [ ] Citizen Kane
- [ ] Casablanca
> **Explanation:** "The Killers" (1946) features the line that highlights the significance of the amount in question, demonstrating the idiom "That Ain't Hay."
Thank you for exploring the world of cliché with us! Remember, as we traverse language, let’s take heed in a thought-provoking axiom: “In the end, the true measure of our words isn’t quantifiable; it’s the resonance it leaves in our hearts.”
- L. S. Ledger
