ha'p'orth

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word ha'p'orth. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word ha'p'orth, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say ha'p'orth in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word ha'p'orth you have here. The definition of the word ha'p'orth will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofha'p'orth, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Abbreviation of halfpennyworth.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈheɪpə(ɹ)θ/, (dialectally) /ˈeɪpə(ɹ)θ/
  • Audio (UK):(file)

Noun

ha'p'orth (plural ha'p'orth or ha'p'orths) (UK, Ireland, dated)

  1. A halfpennyworth; the amount that can be bought for a halfpenny.
    • 1729, Jonathan Swift, A Pastoral Dialogue, written after the News of the King’s Death:
      At an old stubborn Root I chanc’d to tug,
      When the Dean threw me this Tobacco-plug:
      A longer ha’p’orth never did I see;
      This, dearest Sheelah, thou shalt share with me.
    • 1838, Charles Dickens, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby:
      ‘Mighty fine certainly,’ said Ralph, with great testiness. ‘When I first went to business, ma’am, I took a penny loaf and a ha’porth of milk for my breakfast as I walked to the city every morning; what do you say to that, ma’am? Breakfast! Bah!’
    • circa 1880, William Makepeace Thackeray, Roundabout Papers
      You rascal thief! it is not merely three-ha’p’orth of sooty fruit you rob me of, it is my peace of mind.
    • 1997, H. W. Fowler, Modern English Usage:
      Halfpennyworth is best spelt and pronounced ha’p’orth.
  2. (informal) A small amount.
    • 2003, Anton Chekhov, Ward No. 6:
      It’s very simple. Not because our people are ignorant and ungrateful, as you always explained it to yourself, but because in all your fads, if you’ll excuse the word, there wasn’t a ha’p’orth of love and kindness!
    • 1887, C. Stansfeld-Hicks, Yachts, Boats and Canoes:
      A well-built and handsome boat is worth varnishing, and it would be a pity to “spoil the ship for a ha’p’orth of tar”.
  3. (slang) A foolish person.
    • 1973, “Happy Birthday Arkwright”, in Open All Hours (Season 4) (TV script):
      Not that, you ha'p'orth.
    • 2000, Diary (16 Feb 2000) Frank Dobson (or possibly not) in The Guardian read at
      Mrs Dobson shouted: “Put on your anorak, Frank, you daft ha’p’orth, the maroon one I fetched you for your 60th, or you’ll catch your death.”
    • 2011, Barbara Nadel, Sure and Certain Death, →ISBN:
      'Oh well,' Mrs Darling said as she looked at the scene unfolding on the doorstep, 'at least the silly ha'p'orth didn't go to the wrong place.'

Usage notes

  • Use in the colloquial British sense of “a foolish person” is usually modified with an adjective such as daft or silly.

Derived terms

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia