daft aputh

[jgs]

Where did 'aputh' originate from? (not sure how it's spelt)

Ta.

[THECORBYLOON]

I assume it's ha'p'orth which is short for halfpenny worth.

[kempie]

Hapeth is a colloqial corruption of "halfpenny worth" and is/was used in various contexts.

e.g. "don't spoil the ship for a hapeth of tar" - don't cut corners for the sake of saving a small amount of money

...or as in "daft hapeth" - someone who could also be described as being "not the full shilling"

[jgs]

That's great, thanks. This place is the oracle!!

[jno]

originally don't spoil the sheep for a ha'porth of tar - you'd put tar over a sheep's wounds to stop flies getting at it and infecting it. Don't think that little tar would make much difference to a ship (they used to seal gaps in boards on wooden ships with tar), but that's how the phrase has come down to us.

[kempie]

jno - although I do not discount your explanation for ship as a likely corruption of sheep, I do contest your assertion that not ensuring a ship's hull is fully watertight (by use of tarred caulk) would be of no consequence!! ;-)

[jno]

absolutely agree kempie - just that the minimal amount you'd get for a halfpenny - enough to cover a scratch on a sheep - probably wouldn't keep a ship afloat. I think the whole point of the saying, even when it was about sheep, is just how little tar was involved.