What does “nothing burger” mean?
A “nothing burger” is something less important than it originally seemed. It can be used as a noun or adjective, describing a person or thing that has little importance, value, or consequence. It’s typically a derogatory word, also referring to something less important than initially believed. It’s been in use since the 1950s, although it’s popular nowadays in political circles. On Urban Dictionary, “nothing burger” is also described as “something lame, dead-end, a dud, insignificant.” The term can be written as “nothingburger,” “nothing-burger,” and “nothing burger.” All are correct and can be used interchangeably!
When to Say “Nothing Burger”
Use “nothing burger” when you’re casually dismissing something. “Nothing burger” can refer to something that isn’t very serious or important. It’s a very dismissive term—so you can use it to express that something isn’t worth paying much attention to. For example: The news is making a big deal out of something that’s really just a nothing burger. Everyone is talking about this, but mark my words—this time next week, it’ll turn out to be a giant nothing burger.
Imply that something was a let-down with “nothing burger.” “Nothing burger” can also mean that something isn’t at all exciting—or that it has little value or substance. So, when something fails to meet your expectations, you can express how let down you feel by calling it a big old “nothing burger.” For example: I was so excited to read this book, but it’s a bit of a dull nothing burger. Don’t bother seeing that movie—I walked out of the theater wondering what kind of nothing burger I just watched!
You can also describe a person as a “nothing burger.” However, keep in mind that “nothing burger” is an insult in this context! So, be careful how you use it—you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Nonetheless, “nothing burger” can refer to a person who isn’t very important or notable in any way. He’d rather be a nothing burger than work hard! What have you ever done? You’re a total nothing burger!
Where did “nothing burger” come from?
The first instance of “nothingburger” in print occurred in the 1950s. Gossip writer Louella Parsons used “nothingburger” in a column published in June 1953. The column, appearing in the Bergen Evening Record, reads, “Granger will live in Europe until the 18-months period is up, and Sam either wants him or doesn’t want him. After all, if it hadn’t been for Sam Goldwyn, Farley Granger might very well be a nothingburger.” From there, the term became popular in US political circles (and particularly among the elite politicians of Washington D.C.).
Examples of “Nothing Burger”’
Late Night host Stephen Colbert used “nothing burger” in a joke. In 2017, former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus referred to Donald Trump Jr.’s emails about meeting a Russian lawyer as a “nothing burger.”In response, Colbert said, “Yesterday, Reince Priebus called this whole story a ‘nothing burger.’ Well, these emails have turned it into an all-you-can-prosecute buffet!”
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton used “nothing burger” in 2017. Reacting to the investigation into her email server, Clinton called it the “biggest nothing-burger ever” while speaking at the Code Conference. This is because the investigation didn’t turn up any evidence against Clinton, even though it was highly publicized and treated as a major scandal.
Many instances of “nothing burger” have appeared in news publications. If you need a few more examples of the term, there are plenty of quotable “nothing burgers” in newspapers and online articles to draw from! For instance: “This week's market wobble…looks set to dissolve into a predictably boring nothingburger.” —Financial Times, 2 February 2018 “I do not think it's a nothing-burger case. I think it's a serious matter.” —Philadelphia Inquirer, 14 June 1994 “Is a revolution coming to your iPhone apps, or a nothingburger?” —The Washington Post, 8 May 2025 “When they met in April 2023, business was not booming for Mr. Kuo. …’SubwayTakes,’ a show they created together, hosted by Mr. Rahma, was a ‘nothing burger’ with only a few episodes at the time.” —The New York Times, 25 May 2025
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