ha'p'orth

== English == === Alternative forms === 'aporth, ha'porth, hap'orth, halfp'orth === Etymology === Abbreviation of halfpennyworth. Compare boatswain. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈheɪpə(ɹ)θ/, (dialectally) /ˈeɪpə(ɹ)θ/ === Noun === ha'p'orth (plural ha'p'orth or ha'p'orths) (UK, Ireland, dated) A 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. (informal) A small amount. (slang) A foolish person. 2000, Diary (16 Feb 2000) Frank Dobson (or possibly not) in The Guardian read at [1] 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.” ==== Usage notes ==== Use in the colloquial British sense of “a foolish person” is usually modified with an adjective such as daft or silly. ==== Derived terms ==== spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar ==== Related terms ==== ha'penny penn'orth