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What does the phrase 'nothing to sneeze at' mean?

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Posted - January 8, 2018
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  • 13071
    something that deserves serious attention, esp. an amount of money: An extra two thousand bucks a year is nothing to sneeze at. (Definition of “nothing to sneeze at” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
      January 8, 2018 10:38 AM MST
    4

  • 44553
    What?...No smart-ass answer?
      January 8, 2018 11:24 AM MST
    1

  • 13071
    Im in a dry spell at the moment. ;+
      January 8, 2018 1:48 PM MST
    2

  • It means that ... "you're out of Kleenex."
      January 8, 2018 12:59 PM MST
    4

  • 14795
    In London it means your getting a bargain or something at a knock down price and you need to hit someone's hand quick before someone else grabs it.......:) 
      January 8, 2018 2:06 PM MST
    3

  • 46117
    WOW, NJ, it's a different Universe over there.

      January 8, 2018 2:16 PM MST
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  • 14795
    We Brit's rit the book on things loike that .....:)
      January 8, 2018 2:24 PM MST
    1

  • 46117
    It really is off-the-wall, is it not?

    What causes a sneeze?  An irritant. 

    Something that will get attention.

    Dust, some small thing that makes the senses of the nose explode?


    This is not helping, is it?

    [Verse 1]
    Caught a lite sneeze
    Caught a light breeze
    Caught a lightweight
    Lightning seed
    Boys on my left side
    Boys on my right side
    Boys in the middle
    And you're not here

    [Pre-Chorus]
    I need a big loan
    From the girl zone

    [Chorus]
    Building (Inanna)
    Tumbling down (Inanna)
    Didn't know our love was so small (Inanna)
    Couldn't stand it all (bring your son)
    Mr. St. John just bring your son

    [Verse 1]
    The spire is hot and my cells can't feed
    And you've still got that Belle
    Dragging your foots, yes
    I'm hiding it well, Sister Ernestine
    But I still got that Belle
    Dragging my foots, yes

    [Chorus]
    Building (Inanna)
    Tumbling down (Inanna)
    Didn't know our love was so small (Inanna)
    Couldn't stand it all (bring your son)
    Mr. St. John just bring your son

    [Bridge]
    Right on time you get closer and closer
    Called my name there's no way in
    Use that fame
    Rent your wife and kids today
    Yeah maybe she will
    I said maybe she will

    [Verse 3]
    Caught a lite sneeze
    Dreamed a little dream
    Made my own
    Pretty hate machine
    Boys on my left side
    Boys on my right side
    Boys in the middle
    And you're not here
    Boys in their dresses
    And you're not here


    Its a good song, honest.



    This post was edited by WM BARR . =ABSOLUTE TRASH at January 9, 2018 8:29 AM MST
      January 8, 2018 2:09 PM MST
    1

  • 7280
    Good commentary on the background of the phrase here:

    https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/phrases/nothing-to-sneeze-at-2/#.WlPeg6inGUk
      January 8, 2018 2:12 PM MST
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  • 22891
    just what it says, nothing to sneeze at
      January 8, 2018 2:21 PM MST
    0

  • 7280
    Sneezing is a semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth, usually caused by foreign particles irritating the nasal mucosa.

    An irritant is a substance that causes slight inflammation or other discomfort to the body.

    So, if something is "nothing to sneeze at," then it means it is not simply a slight issue to be disposed of offhand and autonomously; but rather requires appropriate consideration to properly evaluate its potential impact on the issue or issues at hand.
      January 8, 2018 2:39 PM MST
    2


  • nothing to sneeze at

    means something that is not an inconsequential matter, not a trifling thing.



    Definition from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary

    something that deserves serious attention, especially an amount of money:
    "An extra two thousand bucks a year is nothing to sneeze at.


    The Word Detective says;
    “To sneeze at” something or someone is a colloquial usage, first appearing in the early 19th century, meaning “to regard as of little worth; to disparage, disregard or despise” (“It's a sort of thing a young fellow of my expectations ought to sneeze at,” 1806).


    This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at January 9, 2018 8:30 AM MST
      January 8, 2018 7:55 PM MST
    1