Dictionary

tuppence en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• /ˈtʌp(ə)ns/ (UK)

Etymology

By surface analysis, two + pence, collective plural of penny. Same for the definition: "Ellipsis of 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.

Meanings

1. (Ireland, UK, countable, dated, informal, uncountable) Two pence (in pre- or post-decimalisation currency).
   • ‘Miss Brindle rich?’ said Aunt Maggie. ‘Bless you, she hasn’t tuppence to rub together.’ 1967, Barbara Sleigh, Jessamy, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, published 1993, →ISBN, page 11:
   • In less than four days twenty-three men had paid their tuppences to Henery, who ’ad been made the seckitary. 1909, W. W. Jacobs, “Prize Money,”, in Sailor's Knots:
   • Milk has gone up to tuppence ha’penny a pint.
2. (Ireland, UK, abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, idiomatic, uncountable) Ellipsis of tuppence worth (“one’s opinion”).
   alt of tuppence worth
3. (Ireland, UK, childish, countable, euphemistic, slang, uncountable, usually) The vulva or vagina.
   • 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!” 2012, Richard Johns, Diagnosis of the Soul: The Long Road to the Beginning:
   • "Fucksticks!" When some smart-arse bastard gives me my comeuppance / "Fucksticks!" When it’s ages since I’ve seen a lady’s tuppence 2011, Kunt and the Gang, Fucksticks (song)

Forms

Deriveds

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

Relateds

tuppenny · sixpence · eightpence · threepence · tenpence · fivepence · fourpence