Australian slang.
Two bob was once known as two cents in currency, and a watch is an instrument to measure time .
In todays terms ,together they form " a 2 cent watch" .
Would you buy a watch for 2 cents ? and how good would you expect it to perform?. probably very erratically.
Hence the ocker term "as mad as a two bob watch"
related - also see Shithouse Rat and cut snake.
Two bob was once known as two cents in currency, and a watch is an instrument to measure time .
In todays terms ,together they form " a 2 cent watch" .
Would you buy a watch for 2 cents ? and how good would you expect it to perform?. probably very erratically.
Hence the ocker term "as mad as a two bob watch"
related - also see Shithouse Rat and cut snake.
Laurie says " keep an eye on Wade "
scott inquired " why"?
dan says " he's as mad as a two bob watch" !!
scott inquired " why"?
dan says " he's as mad as a two bob watch" !!
by wackyv8 June 17, 2008
John "Did you see that cunt mccoist at the game at the weekend?"
Dougie " Aye a did , wit a fuckin Two Bob Rocket "
John "hm?"
Dougie " Aye a did , wit a fuckin Two Bob Rocket "
John "hm?"
by dougiebhoy January 13, 2009
by Daniel Burgess February 02, 2004
by Seany C August 06, 2006
History and definitions through time:
Two Bob was an expression for two shillings. Currency changed dramatically in The UK changed in the 1970s. Prior to that a £ was 20 shillings. Shillings are no longer made. Historically shillings were made from silver and use of the coin began after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
It was an incredibly antiquated denomination when the British monetary system was overhauled and the reference to two shillings had become derogatory by the time the currency stopped being produced.
The expression “Two Bob” is used iften used in period dramas and comedies, for example “I gave two bob to the driver;” is something one might here someone say this on Downtown Abbey or All Creature’s Great and Small.
By the end of WW1, it was starting to be used as a insult or derogatory expression. The derogatory meaning grew after WW2, with the collapse of the British Empire.
Since there is no practical use for the expression and it indicated a very small sum for the century prior to its discontinuation in the UK as well parts of the commonwealth, the expression became derogatory.
Now “Two Bob” generally refers to a cheaply made item or a person someone feels is essentially worthless.
“You’re not worth Two Bob”
Two Bob was an expression for two shillings. Currency changed dramatically in The UK changed in the 1970s. Prior to that a £ was 20 shillings. Shillings are no longer made. Historically shillings were made from silver and use of the coin began after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
It was an incredibly antiquated denomination when the British monetary system was overhauled and the reference to two shillings had become derogatory by the time the currency stopped being produced.
The expression “Two Bob” is used iften used in period dramas and comedies, for example “I gave two bob to the driver;” is something one might here someone say this on Downtown Abbey or All Creature’s Great and Small.
By the end of WW1, it was starting to be used as a insult or derogatory expression. The derogatory meaning grew after WW2, with the collapse of the British Empire.
Since there is no practical use for the expression and it indicated a very small sum for the century prior to its discontinuation in the UK as well parts of the commonwealth, the expression became derogatory.
Now “Two Bob” generally refers to a cheaply made item or a person someone feels is essentially worthless.
“You’re not worth Two Bob”
by Peasblossom March 12, 2022