PLANS FOR TONIGHT
Tuppence three farthings for a quart of good cider
and a ha’penny radish to nibble
a comfy bed where I can lie
and a pillow on which I can dribble.
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Author:
Michael Edwards (
Offline) - Published: May 5th, 2017 00:12
- Comment from author about the poem: Explanations given in the comments. Also one of my cartoons featuring Athelstan and Barrington, the gnomes, if you like them let me know and I'll post more of them - I've got over a hundred of them in the archives but I must add they are typically British humour with a 'u'.
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Comments5
A few words to explain this little ditty for anyone not familiar with old English currency before it converted to metric back in 1971.
In the old currency there were 4 farthings to the penny, 12 pennies (or pence) to the shilling and 20 shillings to the pound.
Tuppence three farthings was two and three quarter pennies (pennies were sometimes referred to as pence in the plural ) and ha'penny was a shortened version of a half penny.
Now you know why we converted.
With acknowledgements to my favourite author, Thomas Hardy, whose mention of
cider and radishes and their mid 19th century costings inspired this little verse
I can remember buying sweets using farthings with the jenny wren on them.
And thrupenny bits sixpenny bits, shillings, florins and half crowns. Even I'm too young to remember groats.
Orchi and I remember groats, we used to have them back in 1066 (Orchidee and I have known each other for some time now).
I didn't realise you were of that age - I lay down my tunic for you.
Oh yes, M. Goldie and I are both millions of years old. It's my disguise, so no one will guess my age! We both have a reunion every October, as we were at Hastings in 1066 in person. I was responsible for Harold's downfall. I said 'Look up, now, Sir'. At least, Goldie blames me for that! heehee. (We're nuts!).
I told Orchi not to tell Harold to look up, but would he listen, he would not! Thought he knew better!
Thought Norman had something to do with it - bet Harry was all aquiver
Norman was the problem!!
Those new pound coins look a bit like the old thruppennies! A fine fun write. lol.
They sure are and I got rid of my last fiver yesterday before they became non-legal tender as from today - I'm getting quite confused by it all.
THANKS MICHAEL ~ Love the cartoon ! To bed to bed says sleepy had ~ Tarry a while says slow ~ Put on the pan says greedy Dan ~ Lets sup before we go ~ TOUCHE ~ BRIAN Please check my ROSE COLOURED POEM ~ Thanks B.
Cheers Brian - might ask UKIP to take on a new mission since they now seem to be dead in the water - bring back the old currency.
YES indeed UKIP = U KIP IN PEACE ! BRIAN
Love the cartoon Michael and as for the old currency -- -pleeeeeeeeease lets have it back. Those gone names were so romantic.
I'd love to see it back Fay - such fond memories
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