As nice as ninepence

Meaning

"As nice as ninepence" is an idiom that means "to be very pleasant, kind, or agreeable." It is commonly used to describe someone who behaves in a friendly and helpful manner. The phrase is based on the idea of ninepence being a small amount of money that could be spent on something pleasurable, like buying sweets or playing games.

Usage

• She was as nice as ninepence to all her colleagues at work.
• My grandma is always as nice as ninepence to everyone she meets.
• The customer service at this hotel is as nice as ninepence, it's like they went out of their way to make sure we were happy.
• I'm lucky to have friends who are as nice as ninepence, they always know how to lift me up when I'm feeling down.
• The weather today is as nice as ninepence, it's the perfect day to spend outside. The usage of the idiom can vary depending on the context. For example, it may be used more casually in everyday conversation or more formally in professional settings. Additionally, the phrase can be modified to suit the situation, such as "as nice as ninepence and some" to emphasize that someone is exceptionally friendly or kind.

Roots and History

The exact origin of the idiom is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in England. It may have been influenced by the idea that ninepence was a small amount of money that could be used to buy something pleasurable, which in turn made someone feel nice or agreeable. Over time, the phrase has evolved to simply mean someone who behaves in a friendly and helpful manner.

Synonyms in English

• delightful
• charming
• gracious
• congenial
• affable

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "agradable" (pleasant)
• French: "charmante" (charming)
• German: "freundlich" (friendly)
• Italian: "amichevole" (friendly)
• Japanese: "和意しい" (pleasant)

Similar Idioms

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• a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor

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