   Didn’t Have Two Nickels to Rub TogetherIn 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. #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #People&Relationships #Southern 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.- 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.other spellings: don’t have two nickels to rub together, and 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. ★ OriginLikely 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. NotesHeard 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 SouthernerSaid plain: "didn’t have two nickels to rub together." Sometimes shortened to just "ain’t got two nickels." | About We are a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia, but wide as the world. Read more... |
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