ha'p'orth

Noun

ha'p'orth (plural ha'p'orth or ha'p'orths)

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