NEITHER USE NOR ORNAMENT

I saw this phrase last week on a cloth cat displayed in a cafe at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.

 Something that is neither beautiful nor useful might be described as “neither use nor ornament.”

 Examples:

 “There was a small electric heater in the corner, but it seemed to be of neither use nor ornament, and my friend also commented on the slight chill in the air.”

 “Jenna Coleman plays Joanna, a mum struggling with a new baby, and fiance – Alastair – who was neither use nor ornament when looking after a child.”

 “I realise that, but there’s art, then there’s that stupid thing that was neither use nor ornament.”


 Photo credit: Alexander Lyubavin (Creative Commons)