rolling in dough
rolling in dough,
also, raking in the dough
Meaning
- having a large amount of money; being very wealthy.
- It can also suggest a comfortable financial situation where one has more than enough money to cover all their needs and wants without worry.
- It can also imply success, especially in business or a career, leading to substantial earnings.
- It signifies not just having money, but spending it on luxurious and extravagant things.
- It also refers to a scenario in which an individual swiftly acquires a substantial sum of money, whether via inheritance, winning the lottery, or a profitable transaction.
- Hyperbolically, it describes someone who is relatively well-off compared to others but not necessarily extremely wealthy.
Example Sentences
- Ever since he sold his startup, he’s been rolling in dough.
- After landing that high-paying job, she’s been rolling in dough and living a worry-free life.
- Their new product is a hit, and the company is rolling in dough.
- He’s always driving the latest sports cars and wearing designer clothes—he must be rolling in dough.
- She won the lottery last year and has been rolling in dough ever since.
- Compared to my college days, I’m rolling in dough now that I have a steady job.
Origin and History
Back in the 19th century, the American lexicon witnessed a fascinating transformation when the term “bread” sprouted a new meaning, “money.” This linguistic evolution, hatched in the mid-1800s, added a crispy layer to the loaf of linguistic diversity. However, the concept of “bread” transcended mere currency and gained prominence in the 18th century, symbolizing sustenance, as evidenced by phrases such as “breadwinner.”
With “bread” now doubling as cash, it was but a quick leap for “dough,” the very substance that forms the foundation of bread, to rise to the occasion and adopt the same monetary connotation. The dough, once merely the ingredient for culinary creation, now becomes a symbol of financial prowess. And from there, the imagery escalates: rolling around in it.
Imagine Dickens’ creation, the iconic Disney character Scrooge McDuck, frolicking in his vast swimming pool brimming with coins. This vivid depiction captures the essence of abundance, in which wealth overflows and rolls with exuberant opulence.
The earliest documented occurrence of this phrase dates back to 1901, in the book “Auntie Clem’s Bakery 4-6” by P.D. Workman.
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