Do You Still Use Phrases with Old Money in Them ?
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The other day my husband said " it doesn't make a ha'porth of difference " and I thought how many phrases I use with old money e.g a penny for your thoughts, I wouldn't give tuppence … to name a few.
Is this a generational thing, I am in my 50s, are these no longer commonly
used ?
It's not exactly 'old' money but 'Off to spend a penny' and 'Put your two cents in' we use now and again.
It’s weird because both my husband and I are in our fifties but with him being a little bit older he remembers the old money. I would say spend a penny like debunny.
Find a penny, pick it up, all the day you'll have good luck. But then pennies are still pennies even now though a lot smaller.
tumblespots Its funny I use this phrase and I don't think I have ever seen a farthing
beccatavender I have one dated 1896 which I will give to my great grandson, hard to imagine that when he is my age it will be 200 years old!
Thats worth a bob or two, or he is sixpence short of a shilling were in common use in our family growing up. I still hear people using the first phrase occasionally.
didbygraham I used the phrase worth a bob or two, occasionally, but when you think about it doesn't make sense, today as a bob is 5p
'he/she's a right tuppeney apney' meaning the person isn't worth much as a human being, a good for nothing. 'spend a penny' meaning needing the toilet. Not sure about this one but often still use 'give ya a nicker for it' meaning £1.
I have heard this phrase recently when referring to someone being dishonest " Bent as a nine bob note". I also remember it having another meaning.
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