A bad penny 👎🏞️💰
Meaning
A person or thing that is unwelcome but keeps returning.
Origin
This idiom likely emerged in the 19th century, playing on the idea of counterfeit coins. A 'bad penny' would have been a counterfeit coin passed off as genuine, only to be discovered and rejected. However, sometimes these bad coins would find their way back into circulation or into someone's possession, much like an unwanted person who reappears despite efforts to be rid of them. The phrase captures that sense of persistent, unwelcome return, whether it's a person with a history of causing trouble or an object that keeps turning up when you least expect it.
A bad penny represented with emoji👎🏞️💰
This playful trio functions as a delightful riddle, inviting us to ponder the persistence of unwanted things. It reminds us that even when we'd prefer them gone, some elements—like a 'bad penny'—have a way of reappearing, much to our mild consternation.
Examples
- He tried to avoid his old friend, but like a bad penny, he always seemed to turn up.
- I thought I had gotten rid of that annoying salesman, but he's just a bad penny and keeps calling.
- That old sock, the dryer's bad penny, reappeared from behind the washing machine with a mischievous wiggle.
- The persistent pigeon was a bad penny, always back on the windowsill after being shooed away, demanding crumbs with a cocky nod.
Frequently asked questions
'A bad penny' is considered an idiom. Idioms are phrases where the meaning isn't deducible from the literal meaning of the words, which fits 'a bad penny' perfectly.
The opposite of 'a bad penny' could be described as 'a welcome guest' or 'a blessing in disguise.' These phrases refer to someone or something that is positively received or turns out to be beneficial.
Yes, 'a bad penny' can refer to an inanimate object that keeps reappearing unexpectedly. This often implies the object is bothersome or unwanted, much like a troublesome person.
While the exact origin is unclear, the phrase 'a bad penny' gained traction in the 19th century, likely becoming more common with the rise of print media that helped spread idioms.