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Purpose:
This page is for my own use in conveying the source of phrases that I've heard
from my youth, whereby I eventually came to understand the original meaning:
 | "Not worth a continental damn":
In my early youth, this phrase was used by adults in casual conversation. I
recall that it was used to amplify the worthlessness of something or someone,
and was always derogatory. I never understood what the "continental" part
meant, and don't recall ever asking about it, or hearing anyone explain its
significance.
 | Source: "Washington's Spies" by Alexander Rose. While reading
this historical writing about the use of spies by General Washington during
our revolution, I came across its obvious source. As part of the British
plan to destroy colonial resistance, they aimed to destroy the continental
currency. Counterfeiting was not only encouraged but also done by the
British, and worse, for valid notes, the British advertised that almost all
continental currency was counterfeit, even when it was genuine. As such,
attempted payments were routinely said to be "not worth a continental". A
"continental" was the name of the currency, much like we use "dollar" today.
My 5th great grandfather served with both civil and patriotic service during
our Revolution and would have been intimately familiar with its use, and
this phrase obviously survived through his descendants for me to hear at
least into the 1950s or about 130 years after the Revolution. I don't hear
it anymore, except maybe by me, although it probably lives in the active
memory of a few of my generation with genetic roots back to our
Revolutionary War. For my part, I've now decided to use it again. Apropos
for even today, as our own U.S. Treasury is printing worthless notes, though
still valid currency, but fast becoming not worth a "continental damn", as
the new British clone actively does everything possible to destroy our
nation. |
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