brass farthing

noun

1. informal.
   something of little or no value

   his opinion isn't worth a brass farthing

Word History and Origins

Origin of brass farthing¹

C18: probably coined when farthings were first minted in bronze rather than silver

Example Sentences

Perhaps even more importantly, if Scotland were seen to be repudiating all UK debts, investors might be very reluctant to lend even a brass farthing to it as an independent state.

From BBC

"And this leads to the suggestion that a like expression, often heard from coarse talkers in England as well as in India, originated in the latter country, and that whatever profanity there may be in the animus, there is none in the etymology, when such an one blurts out 'I don't care a dam!' in other words, 'I don't care a brass farthing!'"

From BBC

“So far, no one has actually parted with a brass farthing as far as I can tell.”

From New York Times

I was destitute even of a brass farthing.

From Project Gutenberg

But they have to be fried just before they are eaten; if fried during the soup, they are not worth a brass farthing.

From Project Gutenberg