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Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

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Hang For A Penny
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2011/04/03 - 10:14pm
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I am curious about the origin of the phrase "Hang for a penny. Hang for a pound."
I can't find any good ideas on the internet. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks!

Ron Draney
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2011/04/03 - 11:22pm
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If by origin you're asking for an explanation, it's a way of saying that the punishment is the same for a small theft as for a large one, so you might as well steal big.

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2011/04/03 - 11:57pm
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"In for a penny, in for a pound" is the only version I've heard, and a very quick look at Google results doesn't turn up anything for the "hang" version, although it's a reasonable variant. Possibly it's a merger with "might as well be hanged for a sheep as a for lamb."

Peter

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