Worth a lick

Question

Has anyone ever head of "worth a lick" being used anywhere else? I live in Kentucky and we say it all the time. Ex. I can't draw worth a lick. It means I can't draw at all.

It may be a midwest thing. I am from Indiana (that is right above Kentucky, for those who aren't sure) and I certainly SAY it and have heard it my entire life! - ashepard, Oct 9, 2015

Answer 1

I have never heard of it but the meaning is close to saying something needs a 'lick' of paint which is a common phrase in the UK where lick means a very small amount. Similarly in the phrase a lick and a promise.

Answer 2

Worth a lick or not worth a lick really means "worth while." or not "worth while"

In Spanish we have an idiom: "Vale la pena" (o no vale la pena)

For "It's not worth a lick." I have heard: "No vale un maravedí.

The coins below are "marevedíes. (Coins of low value)

Answer 3

I am quite familiar with it and have no difficulty understanding it.

I am only familiar with it in the negative. (Not worth a lick)

I don’t know that I say it. I have lived in a number of parts of the US that include Deep South and Texas. I don’t know if people use it where I live now- in the Pacific Northwest- I don’t specifically recall it being used here.

I too, don't have a lick of trouble understanding it. - jtaniel, Oct 8, 2015

Answer 4

I asked my husband, a born and bred Englishman and he says he's never heard it in his life. I myself have never heard it during my 37 years in England . However we both understand it to mean it's worth a try, worth a go.

Answer 5

I´ve heard it used this way: "Summertime Blues" Eddie Cochran