Meaning
What does I’d buy that for a dollar mean?
You’d say it when something is really great, whether it is a person, a thing, a place etc.
In other words, the thing is so good that you would be willing to spend money on it.
It is a famous catchphrase said by the character “Bixby Snyder” in the movie Robocop, 1987. During his line, he is usually surrounded by good-looking women, and the catchphrase is often a sexual reference.
Origin
What's the origin of I’d buy that for a dollar?
The catchphrase seems to be inspired by the 1951 science fiction story “The Marching Morons”, by Cyril M. Kornbluth, where a similar phrase; “Would you buy it for a quarter?” is said in a similar situation.
However, the catchphrase “I’d buy it for a dollar” was a running joke, created specifically for the Robocop movie.
Spread & Usage
How did I’d buy that for a dollar spread?
The catchphrase is greatly celebrated by the Robocop fanbase, and many seem to especially remember that one line from the film.
On Youtube you can find multiple 4-10 second videos with the particular scene where Bixby Snyder says his famous line, exclusively.
The catchphrase has also been made into memes, with either a cut out of the original movie, or the catchphrase added to other images.
External resources
- Urban Dictionary – I’d buy that for a dollar