At messageboards, mailinglists etc all over the net you see people adding their ”2 cents” to an issue. A lot of non-americans also add 2 (or.02) of whatever their local currency is. What is the origin of this custom?
/Andreas
Two cents is a very small part of a dollar. “Putting your two cents in” means that you are contributing to a conversation. You are effect saying, “I know my opinion or experience is not worth much compared to my worthy collegues; but for what it’s worth, here is what I think.” It can also be thought of as “Take it for what it’s worth.”
As to the origin, I can only guess. Let’s say you’re at a party and you’re out of beer. No one has any money so you pool your resources for a beer run. Someone puts in his two cents which entitles him to a beer even though it is only a token payment. “Give me a beer! I put in my two cents!” I’d guess the origin was something like that.
Found this on http://hometown.aol.com/MorelandC/PhrasesData.htm
Put my two cents in
Meaning: To state one’s opinion.
Example: If I can put my two cents in, maintenance on that Ferrari will kill you.
Origin: “Put my two cents in” originates from the older “put my two bits in” and has its origin in the game of poker. When playing poker you have to make a small bet before the cards are dealt called an “ante” to begin play in that hand.
This phrase draws an analogy to the poker ante (two bits) and gains your entry into the conversation.
*Thanks to Evelyn and Dawn Rambin and Ron Akers * Hope it helps