How is paltry used as a noun?

Normally if is a conjuction, but is used as a noun in the expression ifs and buts, e.g. no ifs and buts.

The word 'you' is used in place of a noun for any of the functions of a noun; as the subject of a sentence; as the object of a verb or a preposition. The word 'you' is a pronoun that takes the place...

A noun is used as the subject of the object of a sentence or phrase.

With is normally used as a preposition, denoting nearness (she is standing with John); association or connection (I work with my father); in the company of (I will come with Jane).With can also be...

Any time you refer to it as a thing - chocolate bar, chocolate chip cookie, hot chocolate, dark chocolate - all nouns.