Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Vin21]

"not worth the paper they are printed on."

What does it mean?

Thanks!

[asterix]

It means they are completely worthless.

[Vin21]

Thanks!!

[BMO]

Is it limited to a contract or something written on a piece of paper?

[Bob S.]

[BMO]

Thanks.

bmo

[Vin21]

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?
Thanks!!

[bud]

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.

[BMO]

Not about a person.

[Vin21]

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..

[bud]

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.)

[Vin21]

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..

[bud]

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!

[Blossom]

His speech is not worth the noise it made.

Is that OK?

[Vin21]

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!