A deceased relative of mine, who was a lifelong New Yorker, used to say something to the effect of, "that and a nickel will get you on the subway."
Obviously, a nickel's value is so incredibly low today that if I see one laying on the ground, I don't generally pick it up for fear that it might be covered in germs, although I would consider picking up a half-eaten Snickers bar. Besides, the last time I went to NYC, the subway was like $2.00. When my 6-month old daughter is old enough to have money of her own, I suspect the nickel will be out of circulation or maybe used in lieu of gravel on roads in rural areas. You get the idea: the phrase is outdated.
I loved this relative, and I really loved the wit with which he would deliver this phrase as he patronized me as a child, so help me fill in the blanks with something more relevant to today that I may now patronize others:
"...that and a ______ will get you ______."
Obviously, a nickel's value is so incredibly low today that if I see one laying on the ground, I don't generally pick it up for fear that it might be covered in germs, although I would consider picking up a half-eaten Snickers bar. Besides, the last time I went to NYC, the subway was like $2.00. When my 6-month old daughter is old enough to have money of her own, I suspect the nickel will be out of circulation or maybe used in lieu of gravel on roads in rural areas. You get the idea: the phrase is outdated.
I loved this relative, and I really loved the wit with which he would deliver this phrase as he patronized me as a child, so help me fill in the blanks with something more relevant to today that I may now patronize others:
"...that and a ______ will get you ______."
