Definition

Noun (informal, chiefly North American, often vulgar): 1. Nothing at all; a worthless or insignificant amount. Used to emphasize the complete absence or triviality of something. - Example: "After all that work, I got diddly-squat." 2. (As a euphemism) A less offensive substitute for stronger vulgar terms meaning 'nothing'.

Usage

• Function: Used as a predicate noun, typically after verbs like "get," "know," "do," or "have."
• Context: Highly informal. It expresses strong negation, contempt, or frustration about a lack of results, information, or value.
• Note: Often used in the fixed phrase "don't know diddly-squat (about something)," meaning to know absolutely nothing about a subject.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "for diddly-squat": For no money or for a very low price.
  • Example: "He fixed my computer for diddly-squat."
• "diddly-squat about": Used to specify the subject of which one knows nothing.
  • Example: "She doesn't know diddly-squat about diplomacy."

Variants and Related Words

• diddly (noun): A shortened, slightly milder form with the same meaning.
  • Example: "This information isn't worth diddly."
• diddly-shit (noun, vulgar): A more vulgar synonym. "Diddly-squat" is often considered its euphemistic version.
• squat (noun, informal): Can be used alone to mean "nothing," though it is less common than the compound form.
  • Example: "He achieved squat all day."

Synonyms

• nothing
• zilch
• nada
• zero
• jack (as in "you don't know jack")

Related Idioms and Phrases

• not know diddly-squat: To be completely ignorant about something.
  • Example: "When it comes to quantum physics, I don't know diddly-squat."
• not amount to diddly-squat: To be completely unimportant or worthless.
  • Example: "All his big promises didn't amount to diddly-squat."

Noun

1. a small worthless amount
   • you don't know jack