The Worth of a Person. Epiphany.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

Last edited Sat Sep 6, 2014, 11:29 AM - Edit history (2)

How did it never dawn on me until now?
Possibly because I have only ever heard the phrase used about braggarts and, only in the white lexicon.

The phrase = I wish I could buy that person for what they are worth and sell them for they Think they are worth. Usually followed with the phrase = I could retire on the profit.

I don't know why the buying and selling of the person never dawned on me. To me, it was never about the race of the person but, always about the fact the person thought more of them self than is really there. I have always heard this phrase to describe the person at work who does nothing because they are too busy walking around bragging about how much they have done.

The mention of buying and selling makes me wonder about the history of this phrase.

Is anyone here heard the phrase before? Is it offensive on the basis of the buying and selling of a person?
If so, I just now realized the phrase is probably racial and, I want to apologize.
Where does one go to search the history of phrases?

[notadmblnd]

1. No, I've never heard that phrase used in that manner.

the phrase I've always heard is similar to being able to buy some people cheap.

I've always heard it used in regards to loaning people money. For example, if I loaned someone 20 dollars and never received the money back, then they are unlikely to ask me for any more. I'd say I got that I got that person cheap.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. yes, that is the way I always took this phrase. As meaning, we got that person's number.

We have figured them out and they are worthless, in a manner of speaking.

or Not worth very much.

Maybe the phrase in the OP is not racial, I don't know. So, I thought I would ask how POC take the phrase.

Maybe it is a very local idiom/jargon/slang.

Thanks for the comment.