penny-a-liner

[ pen-ee-uh-lahy-ner ]

noun

, Chiefly British Archaic.

1. a hack writer.

penny-a-liner

noun

1. rare.
   a hack writer or journalist

Word History and Origins

Origin of penny-a-liner¹

1825–35; penny-a-line (of writing) paid for at the rate of a penny per line + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Mr. Hughes speaks, in the style of a penny-a-liner, of Tennyson's "amazing and unparalleled popular influence."

From Project Gutenberg

Could any Sultan, or even the "Oriental Despot" of a radical penny-a-liner, be implored in more abject terms?

From Project Gutenberg

It is still spoken of as a minor matter of giving "penny-a-liner" journalists "interviews."

From Project Gutenberg

Not a day passes but some scurrilous penny-a-liner springs some yarn, some beastly innuendo.

From Project Gutenberg

"Verse ready writ by some penny-a-liner for any wench with cheap smiles," says M. Radisson aloud.

From Project Gutenberg