`arf-quid means half-quid. It is not untranslatable "old-speak", it is simply eye dialect. A "half-quid" is half a quid. A quid is slang for a pound sterling, analogous to the use of "buck" to refer to a US dollar.
"Here's you a-comin' and arskin' of me questions about my business, and I that grumpy-like that only for your bloomin' `arf-quid I'd 'a' seen you blowed fust 'fore I'd answer."
"An' when you said you'd report me for usin' of obscene language that was 'ittin' me over the 'ead; but the `arf-quid made that all right."
"An' when you said you'd report me for usin' of obscene language that was 'ittin' me over the 'ead; but the `arf-quid made that all right."
by dgrilawidbanana February 09, 2025