To go to the bathroom in a public restroom that requires payment. Modern usage broadly means to urinate in general.
Spend a penny
Example Sentences
"Don't Spend a penny about like that!"
"He's always trying to Spend a penny when he shouldn't."
Etymology & History
British euphemism for using the toilet, from when public toilets required a penny coin (pre-decimalization). The phrase emerged in the early 20th century when coin-operated toilet locks became common. Still used despite decimalization in 1971. Shows British euphemistic tendencies.
Word Details
๐
Region
General British
๐
Era
Modern
โ ๏ธ
Language
Moderate
๐ฌ
Formality
Informal
Categories:
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Anglotopia's Dictionary of British English 2nd Edition
British Slang from A to Zed
By Jonathan Thomas
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