Curse
or Cuss. Not worth a curse. I don't care a curse
(or cuss). Here “curse” is a corruption of cerse or
kerse. Similarly, the Latin nihil [nihilum ] is ne hilum,
not [worth] the black eye of a bean. Other phrases are “not a straw,” “not a pin,” “not a rap,” “not a dam,” “not a bit,”
“not a jot,” “not a pin's point,” “not a button.” (Anglo-Saxon,
cerse, cress; German, Kirsche, a cherry.)
“Wisdom and witt nowe is not worthe a kerse.”
Robert Langeland: Piers Ploughman.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Curse from Fact Monster:
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