catchpenny, n. (a.)
(ˈkætʃpɛnɪ)
[f. catch- 1 + penny.]
1. Something (esp. a publication) of little value, designed to attract purchasers.
| 1760 Lond. Mag. XXIX. 36 The general run of catch penny's upon the subject. 1785 Wesley Wks. (1872) IV. 321 The late pretty tale of her being the Emperor's daughter is doubtless a mere catch-penny. 1850 W. Irving Goldsmith x. 133 You know already by the title that it is no more than a catch-penny. |
2. attrib. or adj. Designed to attract purchasers; got up merely to sell.
| 1759 Goldsm. Butler's Rem. Wks. 1837 IV. 467 One of those catchpenny subscription works. 1850 L. Hunt Autobiog. vi. (1860) 113 The catchpenny lyrics of Tom Dibdin. 1879 Geo. Eliot Theo. Such xiv. 257 Full of catch-penny devices and stagey attitudinising. |