ha'p'orth

plural ha'p'orths · alternative 'aporth · alternative ha'porth · alternative hap'orth · alternative halfp'orth

1. IrelandUKdatedA halfpennyworth; the amount that can be bought for a halfpenny.

   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.

   3 more examples

   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.

   1729, Jonathan Swift, A Pastoral Dialogue, written after the News of the King’s Death

   ‘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!’

   1838, Charles Dickens, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

   Halfpennyworth is best spelt and pronounced ha’p’orth.

   1997, H. W. Fowler, Modern English Usage

2. IrelandUKdatedinformalA small amount.

   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”.

   1887, C. Stansfeld-Hicks, Yachts, Boats and Canoes

   1 more example

   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!

   2003, Anton Chekhov, Ward No. 6

3. IrelandUKdatedslangA foolish person.

   2000, Diary (16 Feb 2000) Frank Dobson (or possibly not) in The Guardian read at http://www.guardian.co.uk/mayor/Story/0,,190773,00.html#article_continue 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.”

   1 more example

   '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.'

   2011, Barbara Nadel, Sure and Certain Death, →ISBN