tuppence

English

Etymology

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

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈtʌp(ə)ns/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

tuppence (countable and uncountable, plural tuppences)

1. (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.’

2. (UK, Ireland, idiomatic) Short for tuppence worth (“one’s opinion”).
3. (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!”

Derived terms

• don't give tuppence
• not worth tuppence
• penny plain and tuppence coloured
• tuppence worth

 

Related terms

• threepence
• fourpence
• fivepence
• sixpence
• eightpence
• tenpence

 

See also

• tuppenny