penny number n.
a sensational story, serialized in weekly penny magazines.
![[UK]](/static/img/flags/uk.png "United Kingdom") | Seven Curses of London 179: ‘It was them there penny numbers what I used to take in, sir,’ or words to that effect, and the little humbug is rewarded by a pat on the head. | |
| ‘Penny Numbers’ Sporting Times 11 July 1/3: ‘Penny Numbers’ [title] (There is no diminution in the number of youthful culprits whose wrongdoings are attributed to the perusal of sensational literature.). |
In phrases
in instalments.
| Sporting Times 22 Mar. 1/4: The going down was all right. Went down on a dogcart, then on Kyber, then on Hugger Mugger, then on George, then on Magic, and then on Eyrie—I got back to town in penny numbers! |