`arf-quid - one of the many unknown words from "old speak."
Old character in books often use "old-speak." Much of "old-speak" has gone untranslated. Often syllables are dropped from the beginning and ending of words to produce words in old-speak. Not all old-speak words can be translated back to English, as the process from going from English to old-speak is a lossy process. However with sufficient textual information, the correct word can sometimes be guessed correctly.
Old character in books often use "old-speak." Much of "old-speak" has gone untranslated. Often syllables are dropped from the beginning and ending of words to produce words in old-speak. Not all old-speak words can be translated back to English, as the process from going from English to old-speak is a lossy process. However with sufficient textual information, the correct word can sometimes be guessed correctly.
From Bram Stoker's Dracula
"Here's you a-comin' and arskin' of me questions about my business, and I that grump-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' obscene language that was `ittin' me over the `ead. But the `arf-quid made that all right."
"Here's you a-comin' and arskin' of me questions about my business, and I that grump-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' obscene language that was `ittin' me over the `ead. But the `arf-quid made that all right."
by mickle.mouse September 26, 2007
`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