Money has a way of speaking volumes transcending boundaries and cultures with its colourful language. The colloquial terms we use for money reflect not expressions but offer a glimpse into our societal values, economic past and daily lives. Whether navigating the streets of New York or meandering through Tokyo’s markets, the words we choose to describe money unveil much about our perspectives on wealth and trade. Delving into the captivating world of money slang invites you on a voyage showcasing the ways in which humans articulate one of our oldest forms of currency.
Money Slangs From Around the World
Let’s take a look at 50 slangs for money around the world.
- Bacon (US): Often paired with “bringing home the bacon ” this phrase compares money to something essential and cherished. Much like the beloved breakfast staple.
- Bank (US): Commonly used to signify making substantial profits as in “making bank” directly linking achievement to financial prosperity.
- Bankroll (US): Originally denoting funding for a business venture it now also denotes an individual’s cash reserve.
- Bean (US): A bygone term for a dollar bill illustrating how everyday items, like beans can represent value.”Benjamins”. This term is used in the US to refer to $100 bills featuring the portrait of Benjamin Franklin and symbolizing their value.
- Big Ones (US): In slang, this phrase signifies sums of money like saying “10 big ones” for $10,000.
- Bills (US): A common term for banknotes particularly referring to $100 bills and often simply called “hundreds.”
- Bones (US): Another slang term for dollars that conveys the nature of money as “bucks.”
- Bread (US/UK): Reflecting on money as a necessity for survival this term draws a parallel to bread as a staple food.
- Bucks (US): Originally linked to deer skins used as currency in colonial times this word now commonly denotes dollars.
- Cabbage (US): Describing stacks of bills resembling heads of cabbage accentuates both the colour and shape of U.S. currency.
- Cake (US): This expression implies something rewarding akin to cake. Is often used to describe a significant amount of money.
- Cheddar (US): Potentially originating from giving cheese as welfare benefits it currently signifies money needed or earned by an individual.
- Clams (US: The origin of this term is somewhat mysterious as it compares the exteriors of clams to the earned essence of money.
- Dinero (Spanish): Simply put the word for money that is used worldwide in Spanish-speaking regions in the Americas.
- Dough (US/UK): Similar to bread dough is a necessity that everyone universally requires, serving as a representation of money.
- Fiver (UK): A casual expression for a five-pound note in the UK showcasing the form commonly used for currency denominations.
- Grand (US/UK): Signifying $1,000 or £1,000 this term denotes a sum. Stems from the phrase “a grand sum.”
- Green (US): The colour of currency gives rise to this nickname.
- Gritty (UK): This term may be linked to the tough and hard to obtain nature of money.
- Knot (US): Describing a bundle of money tied together hinting at savings or a stash of cash.
- Loot (US/UK): Frequently employed to depict a quantity of money acquired through means or potentially more questionable methods.
- Moolah (US): A quirky and enjoyable term, for money with its origins shrouded in some mystery.
- Pesos (Spanish): Although it represents the currency in Latin American nations it’s also a colloquial term for money in regions where Spanish is spoken.
- Quid (UK): A used British expression for the pound sterling likely stemming from the phrase “quid pro quo.”
- Scratch (US): An old term for money that conveys the idea of something earned through work.
- Shekels (Israel/US);: Initially a unit of currency mentioned in biblical texts, now commonly used informally to refer to money.
- Smackers (US): A lighthearted way to describe dollars hinting at a yet sum of money.
- Wonga (UK): A British slang term possibly originating from Romani language depicting money in a casual and jovial manner.
- Yen (Japan): While serving as Japan’s currency, it is also utilized as slang, in English-speaking regions to denote a desire or craving often linked to money.
- Gelt (Yiddish): Originally meaning “gold” and employed during Hanukkah festivities when presenting cash gifts reflecting its significance and historical roots.
- Lucre (Global): This term originating from Latin implies profit or gain. Is sometimes used in a way similar, to “filthy lucre.”
- Spondulicks (US): A somewhat old fashioned term for money possibly stemming from words associated with shell currency.
- Nicker (UK): A British slang word for a pound commonly used informally in various contexts.
- Simoleons (US): An imaginative and vintage expression for dollars injecting a playful element into financial conversations.
- Tenners (UK): A casual term referring to ten pound notes straightforwardly highlighting the denomination.
- Zloty (Polish): The official currency of Poland also informally utilized to talk about money in general within the country.
- Eagle (US): Originally denoting gold coins with an eagle design issued in the U.S. now broadly representing money as a whole.
- Guap (US): Hip hop jargon for a substantial amount of money symbolizing affluence and achievement.
- Jacksons (US): Describing twenty dollar bills featuring President Andrew Jacksons portrait: akin to “Benjamins” but, for sums.
- Krugerrand (South Africa): Referring to gold coins but also signifying wealth or money more broadly.
- Monopoly Money (Global): This term is used in a way to describe money that seems worthless or is losing its value.
- Plata (Spanish): In Spanish “plata” means “silver “. It is also commonly used to talk about money in general.
- Rubles (Russian): The currency of Russia is sometimes used broadly to discuss matters in Eastern Europe.
- Sterling (UK): Not just the official name for British currency but also a term used to describe large sums of money emphasizing its quality.
- Vig or Vigorish (US): Initially referred to the interest on a loan or the commission on a bet now often linked with various costs or fees related to money.
- Wallet Weight (US): A lighthearted expression indicating someone has an amount of cash available.
- Won (Korean): The currency of South Korea is commonly used in conversations about money within the country.
- Nuggets (Global): This playful term likens money to treasures waiting to be unearthed akin to gold nuggets.
- Coin (Global): A term for the metallic currency that is also informally used as a general reference to money particularly, in smaller denominations.
Why Money Slangs Exist
Slang isn’t just about being creative: it also reflects how society views money. It can be like a code for those in the know adding humor to chats or showing our cultural identity. Whether we say “making dough” or needing some “quid ” , the way we speak about money can reveal a lot about what we value, our past and even our dreams.
From fun expressions to practical wordings, money slang acts as a reflection of how we deal with finances through language. These phrases add colour and creativity to our conversations about one of life’s constants.
So when you mention the need for some “cheddar” or “saving a bucks ” remember that you’re part of a tradition of financial language that stretches across the world. Whether you’re spending “gouda” or saving up “gold ” the language surrounding money is as diverse and rich as the cultures that create these terms.
Explore this treasure trove of money slangs. Maybe you’ll discover some expressions to spice up your financial conversations!
