Meaning of ha'p'orth | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A halfpennyworth; the amount that can be bought for a halfpenny.
   Ireland, UK, dated
2. A small amount.
   Ireland, UK, dated, informal
3. A foolish person.
   Ireland, UK, dated, slang

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.”

“‘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⟳.”

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

“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!”

“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”.”

“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.””

“'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⟳.'”

CEFR level