History Challenge & Journal

[Dannie Boy]

A sixpence was commonly referred to as a “tanner”, but don’t ask me why?

[dtaai-maai]

According to Tinternet...

"Tanner – this alternative name for the sixpence probably dates from the early 1800s and seems to have its root in the Romany gypsy 'tawno' which means 'small one'."

EDIT: I've always assumed (not that I've thought about it for quite a while!) that this was London/southern slang, and probably not used oop north.

[Dannie Boy]

Well I’m from the south, so there could be something in that d-m?

[HHTel]

Regarding alternative names for British coins. Google will give you the origins of 'quids', 'bobs', 'florins', 'tanners' and 'Joeys'.

What about the thrupenny bit. That was withdrawn on 'Decimal Day'. Quite a unique coin. Then there was the silver thrupence (Joey). I remember seeing them. Much smaller than a sixpence.

[Dannie Boy]

I believe that the silver thrupence was traditionally put in a Christmas Pudding!!

[HHTel]

Do you know when i were a lad you could get a Tram down into't town
Buy 3 new suits n an overcoat, 4 new pair of good boots
Goo n see George Formby at Palace Theatre ,
Get Blind Drunk,
Have some Steak n Chips, Bunch of bananas n 3 stone of monkey Nuts
And still have change out on a farthing..

Great Capstick song. Full lyrics:

https://www.flashlyrics.com/lyrics/tony ... es-home-66

Or listen to it:

[pharvey]

Certainly remember the ha'penny, but the sixpence or 2 1/2 pence in 1980.....?

{EDIT} I do remember my father having a small paper bag full of Six Pences - purely used for a "friendly" game of "Nap" back in the day...

Wikipedia has it as shown below there are other sites that have the same details.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coins_of_ ... spectively.

Certainly wasn't doubting you Lindosfan - just came as a surprise. My pocket money then never saw change after the chips and "Texan Bar"..... So my excuse is I never would have seen it!!

[dtaai-maai]

The only specific thing I remember about 6d is going to the chip shop in Webbs Rd SW11 and ordering sixpenn'orth of chips with scraps (or did we call them bits?). The chip shop was next door to the GP's surgery, Dr Zoob...

(Now this is what I call history!)

[HHTel]

It was 'scraps'. In my day chips were always ordered with 'scraps'.

[pharvey]

I believe that the silver thrupence was traditionally put in a Christmas Pudding!!

When growing up in Africa it was a 5c piece, in the UK a 10p piece....... It's now 2 feckin quid, so much for a cheep Tesco pudding!!

[dtaai-maai]

It was 'scraps'. In my day chips were always ordered with 'scraps'.

Yep, but you're a Yorkshireman - they/we still call 'em scraps up here in the Notts/Sth Yorks area, but dahn in Sarf London where I was brung up I have a feeling we called them bits or something. Caller, where are you? Any other 60+ Londoners?

(Of course, a small portion of chips is over a quid these days...)

[lindosfan1]

It was 'scraps'. In my day chips were always ordered with 'scraps'.

Yep, but you're a Yorkshireman - they/we still call 'em scraps up here in the Notts/Sth Yorks area, but dahn in Sarf London where I was brung up I have a feeling we called them bits or something. Caller, where are you? Any other 60+ Londoners?

(Of course, a small portion of chips is over a quid these days...)

I remember going into the chippy about 65 years ago and we paid one old penny. I am not sure I thought they were called scratchings . Damn you DM you made me feel old.

[migrant]

OK you have me curious, what are scraps? My guess would be the batter that didn't stay on the fish but I don't really know.

[lindosfan1]

OK you have me curious, what are scraps? My guess would be the batter that didn't stay on the fish but I don't really know.

Yes it was with a bit of salt and vinegar they were very tasty. I fancy some now.

[lindosfan1]

I believe that the silver thrupence was traditionally put in a Christmas Pudding!!

The coin in a Christmas pudding was a silver sixpence. There was never a silver 3 pence.