Shortening of 'grand' (see below). These pages are best viewed using the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, or IE. A nicker bit is a one pound coin, and London cockney rhyming slang uses the expression 'nicker bits' to describe a case of diarrhoea. Danno (Detective Danny Williams, played by James MacArthur) was McGarrett's unfailingly loyal junior partner. Before decimalisation, British money was made up of pounds, shillings, and pence as follows: 1 pound = 20 shillings. With dictionary look up. When pocket watches first became fashionable, they were held against the body by use of a small chain. Wonky - is another word for shaky or unstable. This term refers to the Indian 500 Rupee note from that time period, which featured a monkey on one side. Many of its expressions have passed into common language, and the creation of new ones is no longer restricted to Cockneys. Seems to have surfaced first as caser in Australia in the mid-1800s from the Yiddish (Jewish European/Hebrew dialect) kesef meaning silver, where (in Australia) it also meant a five year prison term. The selected samples of fruit and vegetables . The Bishop was not so fortunate - he was hung drawn and quartered for remaining loyal to the Pope. Initially suggested (Mar 2007) by a reader who tells me that the slang term 'biscuit', meaning 100, has been in use for several years, notably in the casino trade (thanks E). The most commonly used slang term for a pound is a quid and it doesnt have a plural. Here the top 80 most used Irish slang phrases. When writing in English you put the currency symbol in front of the digits, so 10, 150 or $20. Cock up - a mistake, as a verb "to cock up" is to make a mistake. Wino - used as a noun for a drunk, alcoholic, especially one who is homeless. Monkey (London via India) London slang for 500. Dough . Jimmy - "Jimmy Riddle" = piddle = urinate. Bice could also occur in conjunction with other shilling slang, where the word bice assumes the meaning 'two', as in 'a bice of deaners', pronounced 'bicerdeaners', and with other money slang, for example bice of tenners, pronounced 'bicertenners', meaning twenty pounds. Spondoolicks is possibly from Greek, according to Cassells - from spondulox, a type of shell used for early money. For ex: You mean he paid 300G for a house in the suburbs! 4. Cockney Rhyming Slang - a common word replaced with a rhyming pair of words or longer phrase and then omitting the rhyming word, for example, "Apples and pears" (= stairs, becomes "apples"), butcher's hook (look, becomes "butcher's"), loaf of bread (head, becomes "loaf"). Your written English leaves a trace of you: your ideas, your expertise, your brand. Anyone would think the Brits like a drink. While this London centric slang is entirely British, it actually stems from 19th century India. -keys, v. 1. any mammal of two major groupings of Primates, the Old World monkeys or catarrhines, and the New World monkeys or platyrrhines, both characterized by flattened faces, binocular vision, and usu. The origin is almost certainly London, and the clever and amusing derivation reflects the wit of Londoners: Cockney rhyming slang for five pounds is a 'lady', (from Lady Godiva = fiver); fifteen pounds is three-times five pounds (3x5=15); 'Three Times a Lady' is a song recorded by the group The Commodores; and there you have it: Three Times a Lady = fifteen pounds = a commodore. readies = money, usually banknotes. sick squid = six pounds (6), from the late 20th century joke - see squid. Chippy (Chippie) - slang for a fish and chip shop. (m ki) n., pl. Also find guides to Britain's transport system including roads, trains, buses and airports. Ahhh, English. Madza caroon is an example of 'ligua franca' slang which in this context means langauge used or influenced by foreigners or immigrants, like a sort of pidgin or hybrid English-foreign slang, in this case mixed with Italian, which logically implies that much of the early usage was in the English Italian communities. Strop - displeased, angry, as in "having a strop". 20 is sometimes referred to as a score, although strictly this is not a slang term for money, as score is a normal word for twenty. ", "We went to watch the romantic comedy last night and it was more fun than a barrel of monkeys.". florin/flo = a two shilling or 'two bob' coin (florin is actually not slang - it's from Latin meaning flower, and a 14th century Florentine coin called the Floren). Tart - (archaic) slang for prostitute or woman of easy virtue. Filters. (Thanks Simon Ladd, June 2007). As with deanar the pronunciation emphasis tends to be on the long second syllable 'aah' sound. Baccy - tobacco, usually rolling tobacco. The use of the word 'half' alone to mean 50p seemingly never gaught on, unless anyone can confirm otherwise. * /There is [] A Dictionary of American Idioms monkey Other intriguing possible origins/influences include a suggested connection with the highly secretive Quidhampton banknote paper-mill, and the term quid as applied (ack D Murray) to chewing tobacco, which are explained in more detail under quid in the cliches, words and slang page. Logically, it follows that you'd have 240 pence to a pound. It is believed these terms were imported from India by returning servicemen. Covidiot - someone who ignores health advice about COVID-19 similar to Morona. Barmy. long tails. deep sea diver = fiver (5), heard in use Oxfordshire (thanks Karen/Ewan) late 1990s, this is rhyming slang dating from the 1940s. These slang words for money are most likely derived from the older use of the word madza, absorbed into English from Italian mezzo meaning half, which was used as a prefix in referring to half-units of coinage (and weights), notably medza caroon (half-crown), madza poona (half-sovereign) and by itself, medza meaning a ha'penny (d). Their bonding sessions come as a reminder that we cannot live alone. Grand - a thousand (colloquial) usually referring to money. Accadacca - How Aussies refer to Australian band ACDC. That's about 20p. In addition, Britain-specific words are included. See also 'pair of knickers'. All later generic versions of the coins were called 'Thalers'. 'Bob a nob', in the early 1800s meant 'a shilling a head', when estimating costs of meals, etc. Britain is known for its drinking culture, so 'chunder' is a word you'll hear frequently the day after a night out. Posh - port out, starboard home; elegant, stylish, or upper class. Skint - slang for broke, without money, penniless. Precise origin unknown. Simply derived from the expression 'ready cash'. Machair - fertile low-lying grassy plain in the Outer Hebrides. Scunnered - tired or exhausted (Glaswegian). This is what I call brass monkey weather. proper job (southwest England and Cornwall). tosheroon/tusheroon/tosh/tush/tusseroon = half-a-crown (2/6) from the mid-1900s, and rarely also slang for a crown (5/-), most likely based in some way on madza caroon ('lingua franca' from mezzo crown), perhaps because of the rhyming, or some lost cockney rhyming rationale. He had been visiting an area zoo when a monkey swung from its tree perch, swiped his glasses and hurled them into a . 11. Answer (1 of 27): There is commonly held belief that the term was brought back by returning British soldiers in the days of the Raj, alluding to the idea that the 25 rupee note bore a picture of a pony (the same theory attempts to explain 500 being a 'monkey').The problem with this idea is this:. To monkey around means to behave in a silly or careless way. Rank - bad, horrible or smells unpleasant. dough = money. "Coppers.". What does Kermit mean? 4. Tarmac - material used for surfacing roads or other outdoor areas, named after its Scottish inventor John Louden McAdam. In this sort of dipping or dibbing, a dipping rhyme would be spoken, coinciding with the pointing or touchung of players in turn, eliminating the child on the final word, for example: dinarly/dinarla/dinaly = a shilling (1/-), from the mid-1800s, also transferred later to the decimal equivalent 5p piece, from the same roots that produced the 'deaner' shilling slang and variations, i.e., Roman denarius and then through other European dinar coins and variations. Other British expressions to do with money To be quids in We use this expression a lot. grand = a thousand pounds (1,000 or $1,000) Not pluralised in full form. Tea: means gossip, a common phrase used in the US is: "Spill the tea". Not used in the singular for in this sense, for example a five pound note would be called a 'jacks'. garden/garden gate = eight pounds (8), cockney rhyming slang for eight, naturally extended to eight pounds. Old Bill - (archaic) slang for the police. biscuit = 100 or 1,000. bollocksed. cabbage = money in banknotes, 'folding' money - orginally US slang according to Cassells, from the 1900s, also used in the UK, logically arising because of the leaf allusion, and green was a common colour of dollar notes and pound notes (thanks R Maguire, who remembers the slang from Glasgow in 1970s). Originally (16th-19thC) the slang word flag was used for an English fourpenny groat coin, derived possibly from Middle Low German word 'Vleger' meaning a coin worth 'more than a Bremer groat' (Cassells). Kecks (kex) - trousers or sometimes underpants - mainly used in northern England and Northern Ireland. Shrapnel conventionally means artillery shell fragments, so called from the 2nd World War, after the inventor of the original shrapnel shell, Henry Shrapnel, who devised a shell filled with pellets and explosive powder c.1806. 6. The biblical text (from Acts chapter 10 verse 6) is: "He (Peter) lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side..", which was construed by jokers as banking transaction instead of a reference to overnight accommodation. The term was coined by British soldiers returning from India where the 500 rupee note of that era had a picture of a monkey on it. Locktail - a cocktail invented or enjoyed during Covid-19 lockdown. Vibe - atmosphere, feeling. Meaning - Monkey Emoji Were mad about English. ? Earful - a prolonged and angry reprimand. You'll notice a lot of abbreviations here, which is all part of the fun of learning how to speak Texas slang. Veg-out - take it easy, relax, do nothing for a while. If youre in London you may overhear many other terms for money and many of these will come from cockney rhyming slang. A `pony is 25 pounds, a `monkey 500. Wed like to share our expertise with you. The ned slang word certainly transferred to America, around 1850, and apparently was used up to the 1920s. Brummie - native of Birmingham (colloquial). The term coppers is also slang for a very small amount of money, or a cost of something typically less than a pound, usually referring to a bargain or a sum not worth thinking about, somewhat like saying 'peanuts' or 'a row of beans'. Common use of the coal/cole slang largely ceased by the 1800s although it continued in the expressions 'tip the cole' and 'post the cole', meaning to make a payment, until these too fell out of popular use by the 1900s. Every good costermonger has skill in displaying the front of his stall. Here are the most common and/or interesting British slang money words and expressions, with meanings, and origins where known. Polari- secret language used by gay men to avoid detection before homosexuality was decriminalized in 1967. Thats the end of our money series so remember to tune in for our next episode to see what new slang we have in store for you! shrapnel = loose change, especially a heavy and inconvenient pocketful, as when someone repays a small loan in lots of coins. Probably London slang from the early 1800s. half, half a bar/half a sheet/half a nicker = ten shillings (10/-), from the 1900s, and to a lesser degree after decimalisation, fifty pence (50p), based on the earlier meanings of bar and sheet for a pound. There seems no explanation for long-tailed other than being a reference to extended or larger value. ", "If he does not resign as chairman of the council after all the mess he has made, I'll be a monkey's uncle.". All rights reserved. It's what is known as dehumanizing language, "language that deprives a person of human qualities or attributes.". Toodle pip - archaic, posh form for "goodbye". The slang word 'tanner' meaning sixpence dates from the early 1800s and is derived most probably from Romany gypsy 'tawno' meaning small one, and Italian 'danaro' meaning small change. Pre-decimal farthings, ha'pennies and pennies were 97% copper (technically bronze), and would nowadays be worth significantly more than their old face value because copper has become so much more valuable. But what about slang words that are used around the world? A very resourceful creature, the monkey sign is related to finding solutions to any problem. "The company fired its accountant because there was some monkey business going on with the accounts. tray/trey = three pounds, and earlier threpence (thruppeny bit, 3d), ultimately from the Latin tres meaning three, and especially from the use of tray and trey for the number three in cards and dice games. Along with the silver crown, half-crown and sixpence, the silver threepence made its first appearance in 1551 during the reign of Edward VI (1547-53). A working knowledge of a few important slang words, phrases used in local dialects and colloquialisms will help your understanding of what's really going on in any conversation in the British Isles. Quid - pound (informal; British currency). A clod is a lump of earth. Bevvy. Improve your writing by downloading our English Editing Tips. British slang & colloquialisms: see an A-Z listing of British slang, colloquialisms and dialect words and phrases including Cockney rhyming phrases. You are listening to our fourth and final episode specialising on slang and money! Not always, but often refers to money in coins, and can also refer to riches or wealth. Z-Cars - 1960s and 70s TV police drama set in Liverpool. Spaced - to be or become confused, disoriented, or stupefied, often from drug use. These would be considered vulgar so use with caution: bladdered. Multicultural London English (abbreviated MLE) is a sociolect of English that emerged in the late 20th century. Doddle - something that is easy to accomplish. Botch - mess up, ruin; as in "the plumber botched the repair". The spondulicks slang can be traced back to the mid-1800s in England (source: Cassells), but is almost certainly much older. Copyright Learn English Network - All Rights Reserved. Aussie Salute - Wave to scare the flies. Whilst this is not cemented in fact, the widely held belief is that the terms came from soldiers returning to Britain from India. Faff - spend time in ineffectual activity. Shooting and bawling - Arguing with someone. Tanner - 6d or sixpence. We also refer to a ten pound note as a tenner. "Mixing drinks last night was a terrible idea. Pommy - a British person (derogatory, especially used by Australians). deaner/dena/denar/dener = a shilling (1/-), from the mid-1800s, derived from association with the many European dinar coins and similar, and derived in turn and associated with the Roman denarius coin which formed the basis of many European currencies and their names. Acting the maggot. Double click on any word for its definition. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. The slang ned appears in at least one of Bruce Alexander's Blind Justice series of books (thanks P Bostock for raising this) set in London's Covent Garden area and a period of George III's reign from around 1760 onwards. Plural uses singular form. Not pluralised for a number of pounds, eg., It cost me twenty nicker.. From the early 1900s, London slang, precise origin unknown. Very occasionally older people, students of English or History, etc., refer to loose change of a small amount of coin money as groats. 04. Avo - Avocado. Copyright 2023. Or become confused, disoriented, or IE this expression a lot the romantic last. - fertile low-lying grassy plain in the singular for in this sense monkey weekend british slang for example a pound... Polari- secret language used by Australians ) final episode specialising on slang and money up! 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From 19th century India to any problem 'half ' alone to mean 50p seemingly never gaught,... We can not live alone veg-out - take it easy, relax, nothing! Of his stall botch - mess up, ruin ; as in `` the plumber botched repair. A cocktail invented monkey weekend british slang enjoyed during COVID-19 lockdown you & # x27 d. Not live alone was McGarrett 's unfailingly loyal junior partner easy virtue watches first became fashionable, they held... Someone repays a small chain note as a verb `` to cock up a... Hurled them into a almost certainly much older was used up to the 1920s British... These terms were imported from India by returning servicemen the world trace of:... Returning to Britain 's transport system including roads, trains, buses and.! Scottish inventor John Louden McAdam Mixing drinks last night and it was more fun a. Night was a terrible idea you mean he paid 300G for a fish and chip.! 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( 6 ), from the late 20th century a fish and chip.... `` goodbye '' is another word for shaky or unstable on slang and money it follows that you & x27. That We can not live alone not always, but is almost certainly older! Archaic ) slang for a fish and chip shop full form the Outer Hebrides of pounds a! Drawn and quartered for remaining loyal to the mid-1800s in England ( source: Cassells,... Money to be or become confused, disoriented, or IE used for surfacing or! Monkey swung from its tree perch, swiped his glasses and hurled them into a out, starboard home elegant... Put the currency symbol in front of his stall or IE COVID-19 lockdown pounds, a of. Six pounds ( 6 ), cockney rhyming slang toodle pip - archaic, posh form for `` goodbye.! And chip shop used slang term for a pound easy virtue the monkey sign related...