Etymology Journal · W
What am I, made of money?
Meaning
- A response used when someone asks for something expensive or unreasonable. It implies that you do not have an endless supply of cash to grant their request.
Sarcastic, defensive
Used in a sentence
- You want the new phone already? What am I, made of money?
- Do you think I am made of money?
- We cannot go on vacation twice this year, what am I, made of money?
The backstory
This is a classic parental rhetorical device. It emerged in the 20th century as a way for heads of households to curb spending requests from children.
Heard in
Nationwide
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