diddlysquat

Thân thiện

You don't know diddlysquat about fixing a car.

Definition

Noun (informal, chiefly North American): 1. A very small or worthless amount; nothing at all. Used to emphasize the insignificance or complete absence of something.

Usage

This word is a slang term used for strong, often humorous or emphatic, negation. It is typically used in negative constructions or to express contempt for something considered trivial. * It functions as a direct object (e.g., "know diddlysquat," "get diddlysquat"). * It is often preceded by words like "know," "do," "get," "mean," or "worth."

Examples

• After months of work, I got diddlysquat for my effort. (I received nothing of value.)
• He doesn't know diddlysquat about fixing cars. (He knows absolutely nothing.)
• Your opinion means diddlysquat to me. (Your opinion means nothing to me.)
• That old vase is worth diddlysquat. (It has no monetary value.)

Advanced Usage

• "for diddlysquat": for no money or for a trivial amount.
  • He was working long hours for diddlysquat.
• The word is frequently used in the fixed phrase "don't know diddlysquat (about something)" to indicate complete ignorance on a subject.

Variants and Related Words

• diddly-squat: An alternative hyphenated spelling.
• diddly: A shortened, slightly less emphatic form.
  • This contract isn't worth diddly.
• squat: Can be used similarly as a slang noun meaning "nothing."
  • I ended up with squat.

Synonyms

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

Notes on Meaning

This word has only one core meaning: an emphatic way to say "nothing" or "a worthless amount." Its impact comes from its informal and slightly vulgar tone, making it unsuitable for formal contexts.

Học thuật

Noun

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