Curseor Cuss. Not worth a curse. I don't care a curse (or cuss). Here “curse” is a corruption of cerse or kerse. Similarly, the Latin nihil [nihilum ] is ne hilum, not [worth] the black eye of a bean. Other phrases are “not a straw,” “not a pin,” “not a rap,” “not a dam,” “not a bit,” “not a jot,” “not a pin's point,” “not a button.” (Anglo-Saxon, cerse, cress; German, Kirsche, a cherry.) “Wisdom and witt nowe is not worthe a kerse.” Robert Langeland: Piers Ploughman. Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Curse from Infoplease:
|
24 X 7Private Tutor
Explore Physics Tutor , Z Score Table
|