godttala
What does "three-bit" mean? At 10:53 of this talk show clip, the host said, "Please, prove me wrong and reveal yourself to be a three-bit bulls**t artist, conning America to help America.” https://youtu.be/R_zI124wKm8?t=654 I understand that "two-bit" means "cheap" or "25-cent." Does "three-bit" here mean "slightly better than two-bit"?
2016년 8월 24일 오후 12:44
답변 · 8
2
In the highly popular game Grand Theft Auto, you get the trophy/badge Three-Bit Gangster at level six. Which, as you suggest, would seem to mean that you're one level above a two-bit gangster.
2016년 8월 24일
1
As you guessed, "three bits" means cheap. A "bit" is an old fashioned slang term for an amount of money. 8 bits is a dollar. 2 bits is a $0.25 or a quarter. But when the term is used like the speaker used it, it just means low quality and cheap. It is not supposed to be a direct comparison to anything.
2016년 8월 24일
Thank you!
2016년 8월 24일
Two bits is the correct term historically. Three bits......no clue. Maybe the speaker just wanted to update the term two bit. Originally two bits was 12 1/2 cents. It then came to represent 25 cents. So yes, it means cheap, unworthy or half-assed.
2016년 8월 24일
@Jerry Sorry, I updated the link. He is from UK.
2016년 8월 24일
더 보기
아직도 답을 찾지 못하셨나요?
질문을 남겨보세요. 원어민이 도움을 줄 수 있을 거예요!