subs. phr. (old).—A small standard of value; something worthless: cf. RAP, STRAW, CURSE, DAM. [A point was a tag of lace, and blue was the usual colour of a servant’s livery; also BLUE POINT = some coarse lace or string on a servant’s coat. Point by itself was used in this disparaging sense].
1543. UDALL, The Apophthegmes of Erasmus, 8. In matters, not worth a blewe poinct,… we wil spare for no cost. Ibid., 187. He was for the respect of his qualitees not to be estemed worth a BLEWE POINT or a good lous.
1598. BRETON, Dream of Strange Effects, 17. I am sworn servant to Virtue; therefore a BLUE POINT for thee and villanies.
