push-pin
Noun: 1. A child's game: "push-pin" refers to a simple children's game in which players try to push a pin through a pile of pins, or to push a pin into a surface, often for amusement. 2. A type of pin (chiefly US): "push-pin" is a short pin with a flat, often colored head, used to fasten papers to a bulletin board or wall; also known as a thumbtack or drawing pin. 3. A trivial or insignificant matter (chiefly US, figurative): "push-pin" can denote something of little importance or value, often used in the phrase "not worth a push-pin."
- Game: (They played the simple game of pushing pins.)
- Pin: (She used a thumbtack for fastening.)
- Trivial matter: (His complaint was insignificant.)
"not worth a push-pin": an idiomatic expression meaning something is utterly worthless or trivial.
- That old rumor is not worth a push-pin. (The rumor has no value or importance.)
"push-pin game": in philosophical contexts, used by Jeremy Bentham to argue that any pleasurable activity (like push-pin) is as valuable as poetry if it produces equal pleasure.
- Bentham's utilitarianism suggests that the push-pin game can be as good as poetry. (The simple game is considered equally valuable in terms of happiness.)
- Pushpin (n): alternative spelling, often used as a single word.
- He bought a box of pushpins for the office. (Thumbtacks.)
- Push-pin game (n): the specific children's game mentioned above.
- The push-pin game was popular in Victorian times. (The pastime.)
- Thumbtack (n): a pin with a flat head, used for fastening papers.
- Drawing pin (n): British term for a push-pin.
- Trifle (n): something of little value or importance.
- Bagatelle (n): a minor or trivial matter.
- Not worth a pin: of no value or significance.
- His promise is not worth a pin. (His promise is worthless.)
- A pin's worth: a very small amount or value.
- She didn't care a pin's worth about the gossip. (She cared not at all.)