not a sausage

Nothing, zip, zero. Jolly term to describe the abscence of an item sought.

Suggested origin is from the Cockney rhyming slang 'Sausage and mash' used to mean 'cash', or money. Hence 'not a sausage' to mean 'no cash' or 'nothing'.

Is there anything in the cupboard?
Not a sausage.

by Paul Ruane April 18, 2006