tuppence coloured, adj. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

tuppence coloured adj.

[from toy theatres, advertised as ‘penny plain, tuppence coloured’]

1. exciting.

1882

‘’Arry on a Jury’ in Punch 15 Apr. 177/1: And, thinks I, this will be ‘tuppence coloured,’ and spicey as all round my hat.

2. (also tuppenny coloured) upper-class.

1916

C.J. Dennis ‘Duck an’ Fowl’ in Moods of Ginger Mick 15: An’ there’s some is ‘tup’ny coloured,’ an’ some is ‘penny plain,’ / Frum a lawyer to a common lumper-man.