Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
two ha'pennies for a penny. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
two ha'pennies for a penny, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
two ha'pennies for a penny in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
two ha'pennies for a penny you have here. The definition of the word
two ha'pennies for a penny will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
two ha'pennies for a penny, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Suggesting that somebody has so little money that they could not even exchange somebody's penny for two halfpennies.
Noun
two ha'pennies for a penny
- (UK, idiomatic, dated, in negative constructions) Any money whatsoever.
1962, Edith Juliet Rich Isaacs, Theatre Arts, volume 46, page 114:I bet you he hasn't got two ha'pennies for a penny — they never have, these people.
1963, New Society, volume 2, page 10:A lot of rowdy-dowdies, poverty stricken — blunt but true, they haven't got two ha'pennies for a penny — dirty, no interest in their children.
1980, Robert Barltrop, Jim Wolveridge, The Muvver Tongue, page 18:In that condition he hasn't got a halfpenny to scratch himself with — an irreverent departure from the pious 'not a penny to bless himself'; or two ha'pennies for a penny, nor a brass farthing or a penny to his name.