Meaning
Completely useless, being neither practical nor even decorative. When applied to a person it is blunt and potentially insulting. Regional use: United Kingdom, colloquial.
Origin
The phrase turns a literal test of an object's practical and decorative value into a dismissive judgement, often of a person. It is established British colloquial speech, but its early history is poorly documented; no specific invention or anecdote can be responsibly supplied.
Research Sources
References used to check this entry’s meaning, history, or documented forms.
Variants
- Be neither use nor ornament
Usage Examples
- That cracked umbrella is neither use nor ornament, so put it in the recycling pile.
- He stood beside the ladder offering opinions and was neither use nor ornament.