or three-halfpenny, adj. phr. (old).—Common, vulgar; in little esteem; of little worth: cf. ‘three-inch fool’ (SHAKESPEARE, Taming of the Shrew, iv. 1). Hence THREE-PENNY PLANET = an unpropitious augury; THREE-HALFPENNY-HORSE-LOAF (in contempt of an undersized person).
d. 1555. LATIMER, Remains [PARKER], 29. [A curate’s wages, nine or ten pounds may be earned by some] THREE-HALFPENNY priest.
1630. TAYLOR (‘The Water Poet’), Workes, ‘A Nauy of Landships.’ Some Men (being borne vnder a THREEPENY PLANET) can neither by paines, watching, labour or any industry be worth a groat.
