Half-crown

Alternative forms

• half-a-crown

Origin

From its value of half of the crown (5 shilling) coin.

Full definition of half-crown

Noun

1. (historical) A pre-decimal coin used in Britain and Ireland, equivalent to 30 pence or two shillings and six pence
• 1859, J.C. Hotten, A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant, and Vulgar WordsHalf-a-crown is known as an alderman, half a bull, half a tusheroon, and a madza caroon; whilst a crown piece, or five shillings, may be called either a bull, or a caroon, or a cartwheel, or a coachwheel, or a thick-un, or a tusheroon.

Synonyms

• half-a-tusheroon, half-a-tosheroon
• tosheroon, tusheroon, tossaroon
• tosh, tush
• half-a-bull
• hog
• alderman
• madza caroon