Cheaper than Dirt – A Closer Look at The Phrase
Posted on June 17, 2009
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Something super inexpensive is said to be cheaper than dirt. That’s as cheap as it gets. Deals like that are hard to find. It’s even cheaper than dirt which is in itself very inexpensive.
Etymology explores word origin. New words pop up all the time. Many of our words in the English language have roots in the Latin or Greek languages. Some words derive from Old English words which derived from Latin. There’s a lot to learn. And one that can be applied to the examination of cheaper than dirt.
Some words or phrases actually reversed in meaning over time. There was a time when a girl was a little male or female child. Over time it began to be used as a slur, or insult, meaning a man who had not grown up. Then it took on the modern meaning of a young woman. That flip took place in 1530. Its meaning as a term for sweetheart dates back to about 1648. In 1892 the word girlfriend came into use. The Greek root meant a virgin. Thus the word was originally applied to young people who had not yet been married.
On to the etymology of cheaper than dirt. The expression dates back to ancient times. The phrase denoted things that were worthless, and therefore given rather than sold. It was used interchangeably with the phrase dirt cheap. Although, according to the words, it would mean something even cheaper. It came into popular use in the 1860s when it replaced the term dog cheap.
Some people value dirt a great deal. For example in Haiti dirt is so valuable that Haitians will cross into the Dominican Republic to steal topsoil. Hitler hijacked dirt shipments in the Ukrain. He used this to improve gardens in Germany. That was because he knew more food would be needed to feed the people.
If you ever need to purchase soil, you know it isn’t really cheaper than dirt. In fact soil can be quite expensive. Some companies have taken advantage of the name to denote that they offer bargain prices for soil and other gardening products. The Dirt Cheap Mulch Company is one – find it online.
Next time you hear the phrase cheaper than dirt you’ll have some idea what it means.
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