Meaning

Pennies from heaven

Categorised in: 435 Phrases 'Born in the USA' ·A list of phrases about money and wealth ·A list of phrases about pennies

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Pennies from heaven'?

Money acquired without effort or risk. The phrase is applied to any unexpected benefits, but especially financial ones.

Pennies from heaven
Pennies from heaven - caption

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Pennies from heaven’?

The first time that the expression “Pennies from heaven” came into the public consciousness was on the release of the 1936 film, starring Bing Crosby.

It wasn’t coined by the film’s writers though, having been used in print a few years earlier, in Abraham Burstein’s book Ghetto Messenger, 1928.

Historical trend

“Pennies from heaven” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1940–2020).

19401960198020002020
  • Pennies from heaven