Didn’t Have Two Nickels to Rub Together
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "didn’t have two nickels to rub together" means being very poor or broke. It’s a colorful way of saying someone had almost no money at all.
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Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard 'didn’t have two nickels to rub together,' but I never heard it growin' up. So I think it may be regional. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard 'didn’t have two nickels to rub together,' but I never heard it growin' up. So I think it may be regional. Pronunciation
[nik-uhlz]
Meaning & Usage
- To be broke (verb phrase)
John:
I’d love to go fishin’ this weekend, but I don’t have two nickels to rub together.
I’d love to go fishin’ this weekend, but I don’t have two nickels to rub together.- To live in poverty or with very little money (verb phrase, figurative)
Granny:
Back in the Depression, we didn’t have two nickels to rub together.
Back in the Depression, we didn’t have two nickels to rub together.variations: don’t have two nickels to rub together, ain't got two nickels to rub together
★ This phrase is usually used in a sympathetic or storytelling way, not as a sharp insult. It paints a picture of scarcity while keeping it light and folksy. ★
Origin and Etymology
Likely from the early 20th century, when nickels still held more value. The image of "rubbing" two coins together highlights how rare even a little spare change could be.
Usage Notes
Heard throughout the South and Appalachia, but also recognized across the U.S. It has an old-time, Depression-era feel and is most often used in storytelling.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "didn’t have two nickels to rub together." Sometimes shortened to just "ain’t got two nickels."
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