Cost a pretty penny
Meaning
To be very expensive or to require a significant amount of money.
Origin
The penny has been a fundamental unit of currency in England since Anglo-Saxon times, and for centuries, it held far more value than it does today—a single penny could buy a loaf of bread or even pay a day's wages. The 'pretty' in 'cost a pretty penny' isn't about the coin's beauty; instead, it means 'considerable' or 'numerous.' Imagine accumulating enough pennies to make a substantial purchase—it would be a truly 'pretty' (meaning 'many') collection of them! This idiom emerged as a polite, even charming, way to describe something expensive, reaching prominence in the 19th century. It harks back to an era where the sheer quantity of small denominations, when tallied up, represented a significant outlay, humorously emphasizing the numerous coins required to meet the price.
Examples
- That antique vase must have cost a pretty penny, considering its immaculate condition and rarity.
- Buying a house in this desirable neighborhood can certainly cost a pretty penny, but it's worth it for the excellent schools.