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目腐れ金 (めくされがね) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
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I can't live on such a pittance.
He's being made to work for a measly sum.
Related words はした 金がね Also means a small amount of money, but はした金 is less vivid and derogatory than めくされがね.
雀すずめ の 涙なみだ Idiomatic expression for a very small amount, literally 'sparrow's tears', but not as harsh or slangy as めくされがね.
Etymology Compound of 目 (eye) + 腐れ (rotting, from 腐れる) + 金 (money). The literal meaning 'eye-rotting money' suggests an amount so small it is painful or disgusting to behold. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a colloquial Edo-period expression.