Discussions about eggcorns and related topics
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Thanks for your understanding.
Chris -- 2018-04-11
Google counts on June 15, 2007:
48,600 “plugged nickel”
93 “plumb nickel”—eggcorns
Analysis by Joe Krozel
“Plugged nickel” refers to something that is worthless. (When refering to a coin, “plugged” means “altered by the insertion of a plug of base metal.” The notion is that a coin might contain a less valuable metal at its core clad with a more valuable metal. So, the coin’s overall value is less than if it had been made entirely with the more valuable metal. At the extreme, the coin is deemed worthless.)
“Plumb” can take on a couple meanings, but it’s probably a reference to the metal lead. Apparently, a coin made of lead is perceived to be less valuable—or possibly a counterfeit. So, a person who doesn’t give “one plumb nickel” is not even offering something of questionable value as a lead nickel.
Examples
Hour.ca – My Messy BedroomThere are so many of them out there that are not worth a plumb nickel. I usually like to watch The Sunday Night Sex Show to get Sue’s best of but Josey’s …
www.hour.ca/redirect.aspx?iIDReaction=33014 – 83k – Cached – Similar pages
Gates of Vienna: Easter Eggs… the United States is immediately pulling out of the organization altogether and will no longer fund it in any way whatsoever, not one plumb nickel. ...
gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2006/04/easter-eggs.html – 112k – Cached – Similar pages
21st Century Reformation: January 2005Planning is good, but an athlete wouldn’t be worth a plumb nickel if he could not execute that plan. We need to learn to approach the day just like an …
21stcenturyreformation.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_archive.html – 209k – Cached – Similar pages
Let the Finder Beware: January 2007Today’s coins just aren’t the same, to say nothing of how they aren’t worth a plumb nickel anymore. Assorted state quarters, most of them lackluster and …
pmburgess.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html – 109k – Cached – Similar pages
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Miracle testimonies
She no longer could walk nor pass her Bowles. Her heart wasn’t worth a plump nickel. She felt that she was out of here.
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Now that you mention it, a nickel does look kinda plump compared to it’s slimmer neighbors… the penny, the dime and the quarter.
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This is marginally relevant at best, but you’ve triggered a fond memory of my late Grandpa Wragg’s colorful style of speaking. For instance, when he was really tired, he’d say “I’m plumb tuckered.”
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