not sixteen annas to the rupee of
- not sixteen annas to the rupee of
low intelligence
This is one of many phrases indicating a shortage from a full complement. Under British Indian currency, there were four pice to the anna and sixteen annas to the rupee. Today the anna is not used. Despite decimalization, we may still hear not sixteen ounces on the pound.
How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms.
R. W. Holder.
2014.
Look at other dictionaries:
twelve annas to the rupee — of mixed Indian and white ancestry British Indian derogatory use of those of mixed race, especially if they pretended to be white. There were sixteen annas to the rupee: I took the conventional attitude... of making jokes about… … How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms
penny short of a pound — simple minded using the common imagery as in not sixteen annas to the rupee and similar phrases which imply that someone is not all there: Slow and Lucky, who s a penny short of a pound and walks his Alsatian dog all day, the dog as daft… … How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms
Company rule in India — For usage, see British Empire in India Company rule in India Colony of the East India Company ↓ … Wikipedia
