My two cents (idiom)
Encyclopedia
"My two cents" and its longer version "put my two cents in" is an American idiom
atic expression, taken from the original English idiom expression: to put in "my two pennies worth" or "my tuppence worth." It is used to preface the tentative stating of one’s opinion. By deprecating the opinion to follow — suggesting its value is only two cents
, a very small amount — the user of the phrase hopes to lessen the impact of a possibly contentious statement, showing politeness and humility. However, it is also sometimes used with irony
when expressing a strongly felt opinion. The phrase is also used out of habit to preface uncontentious opinions. For example:
The earliest reference to an analog of "two cents" appears in the lesson of the widow's mite
in both the Gospel of Mark
and the Gospel of Luke
. In the story, several wealthy temple patrons donate large sums of money, but an extremely poor widow places just two small coins, i.e. her two cents, into the offering. Jesus
finds greater favor with her than with the wealthy patrons, seeing that the widow gave all of her money to the church while the wealthy patrons had much money left over for themselves.
Some believe that the phrase originates in betting card games, such as poker
. In these games, one must make a small bet, or ante
, before beginning play. Thus, the phrase makes an analogy between entering the game and entering a conversation. However, there is no documentary evidence of this being the origin of the idiom, so it is merely speculation. Other likely origins are that "my two pennies worth" is derived from the much older 16th Century English expression, "a penny for your thoughts", possibly a sarcastic response to receiving more opinion than was wanted "I said a penny for your thoughts, but I got two pennies' worth". There is also some belief that the idiom may have its origins in the early cost of postage in England, the "twopenny post", where two pennies was the normal charge of sending a letter containing one's words and thoughts or feelings to someone.
"Two cents" and its variations may also be used in place of the noun "opinion" or the verb phrase "state [subject's] opinion", e.g., "You had to put your two cents in, didn't you?" or "But that’s just my two cents."
The phrase "If you don't put your two cents in, how can you get change?" encourages an expression of opinion. It makes a pun
on the word "change". One meaning of change is an alteration — presumably to bring someone or something in agreement with an expressed opinion. Another meaning of change is the cash equivalent of an overpayment. Thus the reference to two cents is in accord with another idiom that values opinions at one cent (penny for your thoughts).
This expression is also often used at the end of a statement, e.g., “Just my two cents."
Idiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
atic expression, taken from the original English idiom expression: to put in "my two pennies worth" or "my tuppence worth." It is used to preface the tentative stating of one’s opinion. By deprecating the opinion to follow — suggesting its value is only two cents
Cent (currency)
In many national currencies, the cent is a monetary unit that equals 1⁄100 of the basic monetary unit. Etymologically, the word cent derives from the Latin word "centum" meaning hundred. Cent also refers to a coin which is worth one cent....
, a very small amount — the user of the phrase hopes to lessen the impact of a possibly contentious statement, showing politeness and humility. However, it is also sometimes used with irony
Irony
Irony is a rhetorical device, literary technique, or situation in which there is a sharp incongruity or discordance that goes beyond the simple and evident intention of words or actions...
when expressing a strongly felt opinion. The phrase is also used out of habit to preface uncontentious opinions. For example:
Background
There is some speculation as to the origin of the idiom.The earliest reference to an analog of "two cents" appears in the lesson of the widow's mite
Lesson of the widow's mite
For the 2009 movie, see The Widow's Might.The Lesson of the widow's mite is presented in the Synoptic Gospels , in which Jesus is teaching at the Temple in Jerusalem. The Gospel of Mark specifies that two mites are together worth a quadrans, the smallest Roman coin...
in both the Gospel of Mark
Gospel of Mark
The Gospel According to Mark , commonly shortened to the Gospel of Mark or simply Mark, is the second book of the New Testament. This canonical account of the life of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the three synoptic gospels. It was thought to be an epitome, which accounts for its place as the second...
and the Gospel of Luke
Gospel of Luke
The Gospel According to Luke , commonly shortened to the Gospel of Luke or simply Luke, is the third and longest of the four canonical Gospels. This synoptic gospel is an account of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. It details his story from the events of his birth to his Ascension.The...
. In the story, several wealthy temple patrons donate large sums of money, but an extremely poor widow places just two small coins, i.e. her two cents, into the offering. Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
finds greater favor with her than with the wealthy patrons, seeing that the widow gave all of her money to the church while the wealthy patrons had much money left over for themselves.
Some believe that the phrase originates in betting card games, such as poker
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
. In these games, one must make a small bet, or ante
Ante
Ante refers to:* Ante, a forced bet in the game of poker* Ante , Croatian form of the given name Anthony*The Latin word Ante, meaning "before", which is used in many Latin phrases...
, before beginning play. Thus, the phrase makes an analogy between entering the game and entering a conversation. However, there is no documentary evidence of this being the origin of the idiom, so it is merely speculation. Other likely origins are that "my two pennies worth" is derived from the much older 16th Century English expression, "a penny for your thoughts", possibly a sarcastic response to receiving more opinion than was wanted "I said a penny for your thoughts, but I got two pennies' worth". There is also some belief that the idiom may have its origins in the early cost of postage in England, the "twopenny post", where two pennies was the normal charge of sending a letter containing one's words and thoughts or feelings to someone.
"Two cents" and its variations may also be used in place of the noun "opinion" or the verb phrase "state [subject's] opinion", e.g., "You had to put your two cents in, didn't you?" or "But that’s just my two cents."
The phrase "If you don't put your two cents in, how can you get change?" encourages an expression of opinion. It makes a pun
Pun
The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use and abuse of homophonic,...
on the word "change". One meaning of change is an alteration — presumably to bring someone or something in agreement with an expressed opinion. Another meaning of change is the cash equivalent of an overpayment. Thus the reference to two cents is in accord with another idiom that values opinions at one cent (penny for your thoughts).
This expression is also often used at the end of a statement, e.g., “Just my two cents."