red cent
nounEtymology Probably from the color of the copper from which the coin was minted. Prior to 1864, a brighter nickel-based cent was used, often called the white cent. It is also possible that the red originally referred to the obverse bearing an Indian head stamp. See Indian Head cent.
1
US A copper penny.
2
US, Colloquial, In the negative A very small amount of money.
- I wouldn't pay one red cent for a ticket.
- Snorkey. But I ain't got two cents. What's a fellow to do if he hasn't got a red?1867, Augustin Daly, Under the Gaslight, Act III, Scene 2, page 28:
2 more examples
- Day by day for two-and-a-half years, I've seen resources diminishing, disappearing. We're begging, damn near down on our knees, and not getting one red cent.1989 December 10, John Zeh, quoting Tony Allen, “AIDS Groups' Execs Arrested In D.C.”, in Gay Community News, volume 17, number 22, page 1:
- My dad said he wasn't going to pay the bastards ten red cents.2011, Jann Arden, Falling Backwards: A Memoir, page 158: