not worth the paper it's written on and not worth the paper it's printed on 1778

not worth the paper it's written on and not worth the paper it's printed on
Fig. [of a document] meaningless or without authority; of no value. That contract isn't worth the paper it's written on. All the signatures are forged. Don't take a check from that guy. It's not worth the paper it's written on.
See also: worth, written