bag of shells en · NOUN
Etymology
Misconstruction of bagatelle (“trifle”).
Meanings
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bag, shell.
-
A trifle.
For an ordinary intellect, yes, but for me a mere bagatelle, or bag-of-shells, as the ancients have it.
1914, Matthew M. Colton, Frank Armstrong at college, page 39:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| bags of shells | Number=Plur | lexicographic |