tuppence
Appearance
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]By surface analysis, two + pence, collective plural of penny.
Same for the definition: "Short for tuppence worth (“one’s opinion”)." however, this idiom is derived from this fact; in Britain it used to cost two pence ("tuppence") to post a letter, usually holding one's opinion.
Pronunciation
[edit]- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈtʌp(ə)ns/
Audio (General Australian): (file)
Noun
[edit]tuppence (countable and uncountable, plural tuppences)
- (UK, Ireland, informal, dated) Two pence (in pre- or post-decimalisation currency).
- Milk has gone up to tuppence ha’penny a pint.
- 1909, W. W. Jacobs, “Prize Money,”, in Sailor's Knots:
- In less than four days twenty-three men had paid their tuppences to Henery, who ’ad been made the seckitary.
- 1967, Barbara Sleigh, Jessamy, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, published 1993, →ISBN, page 11:
- ‘Miss Brindle rich?’ said Aunt Maggie. ‘Bless you, she hasn’t tuppence to rub together.’
- (UK, Ireland, idiomatic) Short for tuppence worth (“one’s opinion”).
- (UK, Ireland, slang, euphemistic, usually childish) The vulva or vagina.
- 2011, Kunt and the Gang, Fucksticks (song)
- "Fucksticks!" When some smart-arse bastard gives me my comeuppance / "Fucksticks!" When it’s ages since I’ve seen a lady’s tuppence
- 2012, Richard Johns, Diagnosis of the Soul: The Long Road to the Beginning:
- The lady confided to the nurse helping her up off the examination couch, and told her “He put his hand up me funnel and made me tuppence bleed!”
- 2011, Kunt and the Gang, Fucksticks (song)
Derived terms
[edit]Related terms
[edit]See also
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