shove-ha'penny: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowSpecialist, Traditional, Historical
Quick answer
What does “shove-ha'penny” mean?
A traditional British pub game where players push coins or discs along a smooth board into numbered sections.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional British pub game where players push coins or discs along a smooth board into numbered sections.
A board game of skill where players attempt to propel polished coins (historically halfpennies) across a marked wooden board to land between precise lines.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This is an exclusively British term; the game is largely unknown in the US. An American would likely need the term explained or would use a generic description like 'a British coin-pushing game'.
Connotations
UK: Nostalgia, traditional English pubs, pre-decimal currency. US: Unfamiliar, arcane, or as a cultural curiosity.
Frequency
In the UK, it is recognized but not commonly played; usage is confined to contexts discussing traditional games or pub culture. In the US, it is essentially never used.
Grammar
How to Use “shove-ha'penny” in a Sentence
[Player/Group] + plays + shove-ha'penny[Location] + has + a shove-ha'penny boardVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rarely, in historical or cultural studies of British leisure activities.
Everyday
Very rare, only when referring specifically to this traditional game.
Technical
Used in contexts of traditional game preservation or historical recreations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shove-ha'penny”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shove-ha'penny”
- Misspelling as 'shove-halfpenny' (correct but less common), 'shove-hapenny', or 'shove ha'penny' without the apostrophe. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to shove-ha'penny') is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is rare. It is mainly played by enthusiasts, in some traditional pubs, or at historical reenactment events.
It is a contraction of 'halfpenny', a pre-decimal British coin. The game was originally played with halfpenny coins.
Traditionally, polished old halfpennies or specially made metal discs are used, as modern coins are often the wrong size and weight.
Yes, they are related. Shuffleboard (or shovel board) is a larger, floor-based game from which shove-ha'penny, a smaller table-top version, is derived.
A traditional British pub game where players push coins or discs along a smooth board into numbered sections.
Shove-ha'penny is usually specialist, traditional, historical in register.
Shove-ha'penny: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃʌv ˈheɪp(ə)ni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃʌv ˈheɪpəni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine SHOVing an old-fashioned HAPENNY coin across a board.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'shove-ha'penny' primarily?