bawbee

[baw-bee, baw-bee]

noun

1. an old Scottish bullion coin, originally worth about three halfpence of English coin, later sixpence.

2. a halfpenny.

3. anything of little value.

bawbee

/ bɔːˈbiː /

noun

1. a former Scottish silver coin

2. an informal word for halfpenny

Word History and Origins

Origin of bawbee¹

First recorded in 1535–45; named after Alexander Orok, 16th-century mintmaster, laird of Sille bawby

Word History and Origins

Origin of bawbee¹

C16: named after Alexander Orok of Sillebawby , master of the mint

Example Sentences

The tin pot was nicked and never seen again, melted down for bawbees.

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Now's the day, much more the night, For stickin' to your bawbees tight!

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It is a mistake to believe that a Scotchman sets a greater value upon his "bawbee" than an Englishman upon his shilling or an American upon his dollar.

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But it's a verra curious thing to me, and I don't care a bawbee about the sound.

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“Put up your bawbees,” he said at length.

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