mickeyd
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Slang Words for American Money
Many folks have been curious about some of the origins of different slang words we use for money - here is what has been developed so far:
Buck – Popular in 1856; this was a popular abbreviation for buckskin, a unit of exchange in the American colonies.
Clams -Clamshell made into 'strings' of money and these strings were the standard of exchange. Whole strung olivella shells went at $1 a yard.
Smackers – This referred to the sound the clamshells made while on the string. It was also heard in the 1920’s and refers to the sound heard when coins are counted or money is smacked down on a counter.
Bacon – Among rural Brits, in the middle ages, having this staple in your home was considered a sign of prosperity. ‘Bringing home the bacon’ was the new slang when games of catching greased pigs at county fairs took effect.
Bread – A main staple in numerous people lives and has been equated with cash for centuries.
Dough - the usage of dough dates from the 19th century in the U.S. and spread to Britain and elsewhere; since one needs bread (food) to live, and money is what buys it.
Peanuts – A small amount as in, "Working for peanuts". Known for the food cheapness and small size.
Greenback -A nickname originally applied to a 19th century United States Demand Note; is now a common specific reference to the U.S. dollar. It is not used for coins or dollars of other countries, whose dollar bills are not green
C-Note – using the roman letter C for 100 to denote a $100 bill
Moolah – mill, from le moulin - This word may be the origin of the English slang meaning of "moolah" as "money", as mills are even today equated with income in the Northwest, i.e. "the smell of money", as the saying goes.
Cent (¢) – the smallest unit in american currency, penny.
2 cents worth – of trivial contributions or a small contribution
Cash on the Barrelhead - The barrels used as informal counters in old-time general stores or to merchants refusing to hand over a barrel containing goods until it had been paid for. Dates to 1906
What slang have you heard of? (If you know the history, great!)
Many folks have been curious about some of the origins of different slang words we use for money - here is what has been developed so far:
Buck – Popular in 1856; this was a popular abbreviation for buckskin, a unit of exchange in the American colonies.
Clams -Clamshell made into 'strings' of money and these strings were the standard of exchange. Whole strung olivella shells went at $1 a yard.
Smackers – This referred to the sound the clamshells made while on the string. It was also heard in the 1920’s and refers to the sound heard when coins are counted or money is smacked down on a counter.
Bacon – Among rural Brits, in the middle ages, having this staple in your home was considered a sign of prosperity. ‘Bringing home the bacon’ was the new slang when games of catching greased pigs at county fairs took effect.
Bread – A main staple in numerous people lives and has been equated with cash for centuries.
Dough - the usage of dough dates from the 19th century in the U.S. and spread to Britain and elsewhere; since one needs bread (food) to live, and money is what buys it.
Peanuts – A small amount as in, "Working for peanuts". Known for the food cheapness and small size.
Greenback -A nickname originally applied to a 19th century United States Demand Note; is now a common specific reference to the U.S. dollar. It is not used for coins or dollars of other countries, whose dollar bills are not green
C-Note – using the roman letter C for 100 to denote a $100 bill
Moolah – mill, from le moulin - This word may be the origin of the English slang meaning of "moolah" as "money", as mills are even today equated with income in the Northwest, i.e. "the smell of money", as the saying goes.
Cent (¢) – the smallest unit in american currency, penny.
2 cents worth – of trivial contributions or a small contribution
Cash on the Barrelhead - The barrels used as informal counters in old-time general stores or to merchants refusing to hand over a barrel containing goods until it had been paid for. Dates to 1906
What slang have you heard of? (If you know the history, great!)
