How Do You Spell PLUG NICKEL?

Pronunciation: [plˈʌɡ nˈɪkə͡l] (IPA)

The spelling of the phrase "plug nickel" may seem odd, but it has a logical explanation. The word "plug" is pronounced as [plʌɡ], which is where the first part of the phrase comes from. The word "nickel," on the other hand, is pronounced as [ˈnɪkəl], but the spelling comes from the fact that it used to be made from copper and nickel. Thus, "plug nickel" refers to a coin that is not worth much, as in it's not even worth the metal it's made from.

PLUG NICKEL Meaning and Definition

1. The term "plug nickel" is an idiomatic expression that originated in the United States in the 19th century. It refers to a counterfeit or fake nickel coin that has no intrinsic value. The phrase "plug nickel" is typically used to describe something that is worthless, useless, or of poor quality.

   In a broader sense, "plug nickel" can also be used metaphorically to describe someone or something that is unreliable or untrustworthy. It suggests that an individual or an object is not worth the value or trust placed in them.

   The origin of the term "plug nickel" dates back to the practice of counterfeiting coins, particularly nickels, which were made from a base metal called nickel copper. Counterfeiters would create counterfeit nickels by plugging a coin made of a cheaper metal with a small amount of nickel, making it appear real. However, these counterfeit nickels contained much less valuable metal than genuine ones, hence the term "plug nickel."

   Over time, the phrase "plug nickel" has evolved to become a metaphorical expression for something that lacks substance, worth, or reliability. It is commonly used in colloquial speech, informal writing, and certain dialects to convey the idea of something being worthless or insignificant.

Common Misspellings for PLUG NICKEL

• olug nickel
• llug nickel
• -lug nickel
• 0lug nickel
• pkug nickel
• ppug nickel
• poug nickel
• plyg nickel
• plhg nickel
• pljg nickel
• plig nickel
• pl8g nickel
• pl7g nickel
• pluf nickel
• pluv nickel
• plub nickel
• pluh nickel
• pluy nickel
• plut nickel
• plug bickel

Etymology of PLUG NICKEL

The phrase "plug nickel" is an American idiomatic expression, which means something of little or no value. The term "plug" originally referred to a counterfeit coin or a piece of base metal used in place of a genuine coin.

The etymology of "plug" in this context can be traced back to the mid-19th century. In the United States during this time, counterfeiters would often create fake coins by plugging, or filling, a genuine coin with a cheaper metal to reduce its intrinsic value while maintaining the appearance of authenticity. The word "plug" itself implies something that is false or counterfeit.

The term "nickel" in "plug nickel" refers to the five-cent nickel coin, which was introduced in the United States in 1866. These coins were made from a combination of nickel and copper, and their small size and low value made them susceptible to counterfeiting.

Idioms with the word PLUG NICKEL

• be not worth a plug nickel The idiom "be not worth a plug nickel" means that something or someone has little to no value or worth.