ain't worth a plug nickel
Worth almost nothing, or nothing at all.
Also called ain't worth a plugged nickel, not worth a plug nickel, not worth a plugged nickel.
Updated September 21, 2026
ain't worth a plug nickel pronunciation
/AYNT wurth uh PLUG NIK-ul/
Meaning
Said about a person, plan, or thing that has little to no value. You might hear it about a broken tool, a bad deal, or somebody whose help is useless. Same idea as "not worth a plugged nickel," just with the Southern ain't.
How folks use it
- “That old lawnmower ain't worth a plug nickel.”
- “His apology ain't worth a plug nickel if he keeps doing the same thing.”
Origin and etymology
American phrase from the late 1800s. A "plugged" coin had a hole cut out and filled with cheap metal, so it was basically worthless if you spotted the fake. People said "plugged nickel" for anything of no value; "plug nickel" is a shortened form that stuck in everyday talk.
Frequently asked questions
What is a plug nickel?
An old fake or damaged five-cent coin. People cut out valuable metal and plugged the hole with something cheaper, which left the coin nearly worthless.