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Vin21
Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 132
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Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 5:05 am Post subject: not worth the paper they are printed on |
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"not worth the paper they are printed on."
What does it mean?
Thanks! |
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asterix
Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 1654
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Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 5:32 am Post subject: |
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It means they are completely worthless. |
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Vin21
Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 132
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Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2005 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks!!  |
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BMO
Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 9:20 am Post subject: |
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Is it limited to a contract or something written on a piece of paper? |
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Bob S.

Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 1767 Location: So. Cal
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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BMO wrote: |
Is it limited to a contract or something written on a piece of paper? |
Anything written or printed that is worthless to you. For example, an instruction book that you don't understand (wrong language, wrong model, whatever); some currencies become so devalued, such as the old Italian Lira before they converted to the Euro, the paper is worth more in recycled scrap than the monetary value of the note itself. |
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BMO
Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks.
bmo |
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Vin21
Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 132
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks BMO & Bob S.
So, before the old Italian Lira converted to the Euro,you could say:
"Ttalian Lira is not worth the paper they are printed on"
Is that right?
And can I use it to describe a person like this:
"Hey,Vin,You're not worth the paper you are printed on."
Is the usage okay?
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bud
Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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Yes to the first.
The second: Your intent would be easily understood even though the expression is illogical. I wouldn't use it in that way. |
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BMO
Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 705
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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Not about a person. |
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Vin21
Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 132
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:31 am Post subject: |
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Thanks!!
Or can I rephrase it like this so that it can apply to something not only related to printed matter?
These old coins are not worth the metal they are printed/molded on.
This machine is not worth the metal they are made from.
Something like that..  |
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bud
Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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I think you would be understood, Vin, but in my opinion, it doesn't work very well. (And you would need to say molded/stamped or made from - not printed.) |
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Vin21
Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 132
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you, bud.
Yeah,because I found not a few sentences of this kind on the net,so I thought it might work.It's not a good thing to rephrase a ...idiom (?) like that, it doesn't work very well, and it's not necessary at all.. |
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bud
Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:23 am Post subject: |
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I don't want to discourage that, Vin. People often rephrase idioms and expressions. In fact, after further thought, I see nothing wrong with, "This machine is not worth the metal it is made from." My apologies! |
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Blossom
Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 291 Location: Beijing China
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:47 pm Post subject: Noise and paper |
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His speech is not worth the noise it made.
Is that OK? |
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Vin21
Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 132
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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I can't imagine what noise would be valuable,but "voice" is Okay to me.
That means the speech is worthless to me,but his voice sounds like he is singing a song,Blosson,wonderful!  |
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