ticky-tack

noun

Something of low value; (by extension) something meaningless or insignificant.

Similar
cheapiecheapoflyspecktrivialitytacktawdrybagatellebag of shells
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Meanings

nounticky-tack (uncountable)
  1. uncountableSomething of low value; (by extension) something meaningless or insignificant.

    But why should we have to struggle against this garbagy tide of cheap rip-off ticky-tack, when we could be drinking the wine of paradise even now under our own vine & fig tree?

    2003, Hakim Bey, T.A.Z.: The Temporary Autonomous Zone

    Synonyms: cheapie, cheapo, flyspeck, triviality, cheapie, cheapo, tack, tawdry

Synonyms & antonyms

nounSomething of low value; (by extension) something meaningless or insignificant.

Similar
cheapiecheapoflyspecktrivialitycheapiecheapotacktawdrybagatellebag of shellsbric-a-bracdickydicky-birdficofiginconsequentialflamfewflyspeckminuity
Also see
bagatellecheapiecheapodrop in the bucketdrop in the oceandrop in the ponddrop in the seanothingburgersmall beerspit in the oceantacktawdrytrifletrinkettrivialitywhite chip

Origin

Probably a back-formation from ticky-tacky (adjective).

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

ticky-tack. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ticky-tack

MLA

“ticky-tack.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ticky-tack. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ticky-tack,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ticky-tack.

Source: ticky-tack on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.