diddly-squat

American  

[did-lee-skwot] / ˈdɪd liˌskwɒt /

noun

Slang.

1. a minimum amount or degree; the least bit (usually used in the negative).

   This coin collection isn't worth diddly-squat in today's market.

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diddly-squat British  

/ ˌdɪdlɪˈskwɒt /

pronoun

1. informal (usually used with a negative) anything

   that doesn't mean diddly-squat

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Etymology

Origin of diddly-squat

Probably euphemistic variant of diddlyshit

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

diddly-squat

“China’s the second-largest economy in the world, and we get diddly-squat from China,” or very little, he added.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 20, 2022

Marilyn Monroe was a huge movie star, but she owned diddly-squat.

From Slate ● Dec. 18, 2013

And for my second Marilyn bet-you-didn’t-see-that-coming revelation … Marilyn Monroe was a huge movie star, but she owned diddly-squat.

From Slate ● Jan. 5, 2012

Lots of quantifiable data that means diddly-squat to student OR teachers.

From New York Times ● Jun. 24, 2010

Related Words

• nonentity