Not worth the candle
Posted by Barney on November 30, 2000
In Reply to: Not worth the candle posted by Albert Delgado on November 30, 2000
: The phrase is originally "the game is not worth the candle". Therefore, the origin given here is not sufficient. I have been told that gambling, as many things, used to be done by candle light. Candles were more in demand and probably more expensive. When a gambler had a bad night at the tables, he may be heard saying that "the game was not worth the candle".
I'm sure you're entirely correct - well done.