bad penny

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Noun 1.1.1 Derived terms 1.2 References

[edit] English

[edit] Noun

bad penny (plural bad pennies)

1. (literally) A counterfeit or damaged penny.
2. (idiomatic) A person or thing which is unpleasant, disreputable, or otherwise unwanted, especially one which repeatedly appears at inopportune times.
   • 1916, Gilbert Parker, The World For Sale, ch. 4,

     "Felix Marchand'll have much money—bad penny as he is," continued Christine in her normal voice.

   • 1918, Rex Ellingwood Beach, The Winds of Chance, ch. 17,

     Pierce remembered Hilda's prophecy that her indigent husband would turn up, like a bad penny.

   • 1975, R. Z. Sheppard, "Springtime for Mosley (book review)," Time, 9 Jun.,

     But as the perennial bad penny of British political life, he keeps turning up at embarrassing moments.

[edit] Derived terms

• a bad penny always comes back
• turn up like a bad penny

[edit] References

• Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., 1989.
• Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary, 1987-1996.