Where did this saying originate

[Schutzengel]

and in what context is it used. 'A penny bun costs tuppence.

[Quizmonster]

A penny bun is the name given to a type of mushroom, so I imagine there may have been a time when such a thing cost tuppence. Not sure of the origin of the actual phrase, though a greengrocer's shop is a distinct possibility!

[fredpuli47]

Is there any need to think of fungi? Doesn't the expression mean no more than that things may 'cost ' more than they might seem to, they are not, in reality, how they appear to the innocent ? A penny bun, meaning a bun, not a fungus resembling a penny bun, (or a penny whistle, come to that ) is called that but the real cost is higher ! The one pertinent example I found on the net was someone's mother saying to someone about to be wed " When you are married, a penny bun costs tuppence".. In other words what you innocently expect from description or imagination, but without experience, is not quite what you'll get. So be wise, because an expectation is likely to be misleading.

[Quizmonster]

Sure, Fred, but it could still have originated in a shop run by a light-hearted greengrocer, couldn't it? We all know how frivolous these fellows can be with apostrophes, for example! Of course, it might as easily have been coined (pun intended) by an equally-facetious baker's boy.

[Schutzengel]

Thank you Quizmonster and Fredpuli. What interesting and wise answers from both of you. Reading Fred's answer, triggered my memory, and I have just remembered where I heard the expression used. It was my Grandma when I was quite small, talking about someone saying when you are married, two can live as cheaply as one. She went on to say, "No you can't because then a penny bun costs tuppence. Thank you again. You both can always be relied upon for sound answers. Schutz.

[Quizmonster]

Thank you for your kind comments, Schutz. Fred and I have been having this sort of debate, on both sides of the Atlantic, for over a decade now.

[Naomicorlett]

My dad (God bless him) always said that a penny bun cost five pence cos he had to buy 5 so all the family got one . Simple innit!