nice as ninepence en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
Corruption of nice as ninepins, from the neat and precise ordering of the skittles in the game of ninepins.
Meanings
-
(not-comparable, qualifier:simile) Perfectly all right; fine.
She had been mistress of the farm so long that it would be hard for her to play second fiddle, but give her time and she'd be as good as new butter and as nice as ninepence, he said.
1913, Ethel Carnie, Miss Nobody, page 68:
- (not-comparable, qualifier:simile) Neat, tidy, in order.