British word for money

Note

A note is a word that describes paper money. In America, this is known as a bill. It is common for someone to say “do you have a ten pound note?” However, as bank cards and mobile payment apps are becoming more and more popular this type of money is not as common.

Cash

Connected with the term “note” cash is a term used to describe any physical money. So coins or notes are cash. We are moving towards a cashless society in many developed countires.

P or Pence

The smallest amount of currency in the UK is 1 penny. There are 100 pence in every pound. It is very common in almost all situations to shorten the term “pence” to just “p”. For example, a coffee in a vending machine at work might be 50p. This is the sort of money people may ask to borrow quite often for very small things.

A Quid

This strange little word is used to describe 1 pound. Someone may ask to borrow a quid for a snack or a bus ticket. While it is often used on its own, the word quid can be used against any number of pounds. If something cost £60, someone might say it cost 60 quid.

A Fiver

The smallest value note in the UK is a 5 pound note. This is commonly called a fiver. However, people can also use this term to describe 5 pounds as an amount.  It is a fairly small amount of money and someone may ask to borrow a fiver for something though it is an amount of money that should not be given away without some thought.

If you’ve ever traveled abroad, you know that understanding different currencies and exchange rates can get confusing. This is especially true in the United Kingdom, where there many different terms for money. While some of these British money terms are more common in formal communications, others are more common in casual or informal conversations. In any case, let’s take a look at 20+ British money terms you need to know! 

Official British Money Terms

The official term for currency in the United Kingdom is the pound sterling, often abbreviated as GBP. The term “pound sterling” would be equivalent to the “U.S. dollar” in the United States (though their exact values differ). If you would like to refer to more than one, the correct plural form is pounds sterling.

However, most people simply refer to the standard British currency as the pound (£). A pound is divided into 100 pence (p). Pence is the plural form, while penny is the singular form. Unlike pounds, which can be coins or paper, pence only appear as coins.

It’s also important to point out that people associate the term “bill” with paper money in the United States, while they associate the term “note” with paper money in the United Kingdom. For example, someone in the UK may ask for a “20-pound note” as payment for goods or services. Alternatively, Americans would typically refer to the U.S. equivalent as a “20-dollar bill.”

Whether you’re talking about notes or coins, the shorthand British money terms remain the same. The letter “p” is shorthand (in both writing and speech) for pence or pennies. Alternatively, the shorthand for pound sterling is “pound” (in speech) and £ (in writing). 

British notes come in four standard denominations: £5, £10, £20, and £50. Coins come in eight denominations: 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, and £2. Therefore, the most valuable coin is worth two pounds and the most valuable note is worth 50 pounds. For reference, the British pound is worth about one and a half U.S. dollars (on average).

Outdated Terms

The British money terms listed above reflect the modern state of currency in the United Kingdom. However, money can change a lot over time. This is especially true in a country like England, which has a history dating back thousands of years. We will not spend time going through all of the different types of currency throughout British history, but it is useful to look at some older terms for money that you could still hear today:

• Shilling – The shilling was a British coin that was worth approximately 5p. It first came into existence during the reign of King Henry VII in the late 16th Century, and the shilling would remain legal tender until 1990. While the shilling is no longer in circulation, the word is still widely known as a general term for “old-fashioned British money” throughout the English-speaking world.
• Farthing – The British farthing was a coin that was worth about one-quarter of a penny. It was typically minted in either copper or bronze. Though it is no longer in use today, the farthing was a common form of currency starting sometime in the early 18th Century. In 1961, the coin was no longer recognized as legal tender in the UK. It would take another 10 years before the farthing was removed as legal tender in various British territories around the world.
• Threepence – The threepence coin was introduced in 1547 and would remain in use until 1970. While the coin did not hold much value, it went by many different names, including thruppence and thruppeny bit. 
• Sixpence – The sixpence coin’s lifespan was similar to that of the threepence coin. The British monarchy first minted the sixpence in 1551 and later removed it from circulation in 1980. Also, like the threepence coin, the sixpence coin went by many names, including tanner and sixpenny bit.

Slang British Money Terms

Now that we’ve covered the official British money terms — and even some outdated ones — it’s time to see how people in the UK talk about money on a day-to-day basis. Like most languages, English has its fair share of slang terms related to a variety of topics — and money is no exception. So, let’s take a look at some of the most common British slang terms for money that people use today:

• Dosh — Money.
  • He went and spent all his dosh on a new car!
• Coin — Money; when used in this way, “coin” becomes uncountable.
  • How much coin do you have?
• Quid — One pound.
  • Hey mate, can borrow a quid?
• Fiver — A five-pound note.
  • It only costs a fiver.
• Tenner — A ten-pound note.
  • I lent him a tenner, but he never paid me back!

Cockney Rhyming Slang

The Cockney dialect is a unique form of British English that comes from the East End of London. To the untrained ear, Cockney English can be very difficult to understand. Not only is it associated with a thick British accent, but speakers of Cockney also use hundreds of unique slang terms for a wide range of things. Many of these terms are based on Cockney rhyming slang, which uses rhyming words to signify a different meaning. Let’s look at a few British money terms that are unique to the Cockney dialect: 

• Bread (or bread & honey) — Money.
  • I need all the bread I can get!
• Bangers and Mash — Cash.
  • You have to pay in bangers and mash.
• Lost and Found — One pound.
  • Could you lend me a lost and found?
• Deep-Sea Diver — A fiver (5-pound note).
  • I just need a deep-sea diver.
• Cock and Hen — 10 pounds.
  • It cost a cock and hen yesterday.
• Score — 20 pounds.
  • Do you have a score?
• Pony — 25 pounds.
  • I only have a pony on me.
• Bullseye — 50 pounds.
  • I would never lend out a bullseye.
• Ton — 100 pounds.
  • Where am I going to get a ton?
• Monkey — 500 pounds.
  • You can’t carry a monkey around with you in this neighborhood!

Other British Terms Related to Money

Finally, let’s look at a few more British money terms that refer to particular situations or types of money. These terms may not refer to specific amounts, but you could still hear them from a native British speaker on a regular basis. For Example:  

• Readies — Cash or “ready money” that you can spend right now.
  • My boss just gave me readies for the weekend!
• On the nail — Immediate payment.
  • If you want to buy something, we’ll need cash on the nail.
• Filthy lucre — “Dirty money” or money that was acquired through illegal means.
  • Don’t try to give me any of your filthy lucre!
• Shrapnel — A large amount of money, especially coins, carried around in one’s pocket.
  • I’ve got so much shrapnel that I can’t even walk down the street!
• Wad — A large collection of money, especially paper notes.
  • Don’t bring that wad out in public; someone might try to nick (steal) it. 

Conclusion

Once you get the hang of them, British money terms are not too complicated. You just have to learn the official names and denominations, as well as a few different slang terms. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to use money in the United Kingdom without any problems!

We hope you enjoyed this guide on British money terms! If you’d like to learn even more terms from British, American, Canadian, or Australian English, be sure to subscribe to the Magoosh Youtube channel, join our Facebook Group, or sign up for our SpeakUp service today!

Today, you’re going to increase your money vocabulary with 42 words and phrases about money. Also check out Maths Vocabulary in English: Do You Know the Basics?

Like it or not, money is a big part of most of our lives.

So it’s important to be able to talk about it, right?

Here are 42 usfeul words and phrases to help you talk about money in English.

Words to describe physical money

Note

This is British English, and it basically means “a piece of paper money.” It’s short for “bank note.”

“I found a ten-pound note in the street the other day.”

“I tried to buy a sandwich with a fifty-pound note, but the shopkeeper wouldn’t accept it.”

Bill

“Bill” is the American word for “note.”

So we can talk about ten-pound notes, but we usually say ten-dollar bill.

My main question is “Who’s Bill?”

Coins

The money that isn’t notes — those shiny metal things? Those are coins.

Here’s something I’ve noticed about travelling:

In some countries, you end up with loads and loads of coins in your pocket. They just have so many of them.

The UK is one of those countries.

Shrapnel

This word actually means the small pieces of metal that explode out of a bomb or a grenade.

But when we’re talking about money, it’s a very informal way to describe coins.

But there’s a difference in how we use “shrapnel.”

The word “coin” is countable:

“How many coins have you got in your pocket?”

But the word “shrapnel” is uncountable:

“How much shrapnel have you got on you? I need to get a ticket, and the machine doesn’t accept notes.”

Change

When we pay for something, we do it one of two ways.

We can give the exact change: if the toothbrush you’re buying costs £1, and you give the shopkeeper £1, you’ve given the exact change.

But if you don’t have any shrapnel on you, you might want to pay with a five-pound note.

Then the shopkeeper gives you £4 in change.

Or perhaps you only have a fifty-pound note. So you try to pay for the toothbrush with that.

The shopkeeper just shakes his head and says, “Sorry, mate. I can’t break a fifty.”

What does it mean?

If the shopkeeper can’t give you the correct change for the fifty pounds because he doesn’t have it, then he can’t break the fifty-pound note.

And you don’t get a toothbrush.

Coppers

Most countries have very, very low-value coins.

What colour are they in your country?

Probably, they’re this dark orange colour — or copper colour.

That’s why we call them coppers.

Words to describe amounts of money

Fiver

This is British English, and it means “five-pound note.”

Easy, right?

Tenner

OK, you’ve guessed this one, haven’t you?

Yep — it means “ten-pound note.”

This only works for five pounds and ten pounds. We can’t say, for example, a twentier. It just sounds weird.

A lot of people I know (including myself) use these words when we’re outside the UK to talk about ten lira or ten lev or ten euros or whatever the currency is where we are.

K

I wrote about this in my big post on how to say numbers in English.

If you add “K” to a number in English, it means “thousand.”

Here’s an example for you to see how it works (and also to see how ridiculously overpriced things are in the UK).

These are beach huts:

They’re cute things that you’ll often find on the beach in the UK.

The idea is that you buy one and then you have a little room to change your clothes in, drink tea in and even have a nap in when you’re at the beach.

This one in the photo is in Brighton, my hometown.

Want to buy one? Well — they’re pretty expensive.

These guys cost over 20K.

Ridiculous, isn’t it?

Grand

“Grand” is exactly the same as “K.”

It means “thousand.”

“I still can’t believe those beach huts are going for over 20 grand each.”

Cash

Cash is real money — not virtual money.

If you’ve got bank notes or coins, then you’ve got cash.

If you’re using your card (or cheques, like it’s the ‘80s), then you’re not using cash.

Also — Johnny Cash. Because there’s never a bad time for Johnny Cash.

Words to describe currencies and denominations

Pound

I’m sure you know this one. It’s the currency used in the UK.

But just one thing: you don’t need to say “sterling.” No one uses it!

In fact, I had no idea what it meant until I was an adult.

Quid

You’ll hear this one a lot in the UK.

This is British English, and it means “pound.”

But be careful!

The plural of “quid” is “quid” (not “quids”).

So your kettle might cost one quid or fifty quid.

Which is really expensive for a kettle. Even a nice electric one with flashy green lights and everything.

Don’t buy it!

Bucks

This is originally American English, and it means “dollars.”

When I visited Australia back in February, I was pleased to hear that they use “bucks” there, too. A lot.

It feels good to say, right?

“That’ll be seven bucks, please.”

p

This is short for “pence.”

There are 100 pence in a pound.

It’s also the same in the singular and plural — so something could be 1p or 50p.

But prices can get a little tricky to say when they get more complicated. Click here for more on how to say prices correctly — it’s harder than you think!

Ways to talk about using the ATM

ATM

OK. What’s this?

Yep — it’s an ATM.

Cash machine

OK. What about this?

Yep — it’s an ATM.

But we can also call it a cash machine.

Hole-in-the-wall

And this? What’s this?

Yep — it’s an ATM or a cash machine or, if you’re talking to someone from the UK, a hole-in-the-wall.

But what can you do with it?

Withdraw

OK. You’ve got no cash on you, and you need to buy that amazing teapot — and you need to buy it NOW!

So you go to the cash machine and withdraw the cash you need.

Take out

“Withdraw” is quite a formal word.

In most situations it’s nice to use this phrasal verb instead:

“Give me five minutes — I’ve just got to go to the ATM and take out a bit of cash.”

Deposit

So we can use the ATM to withdraw money, but we can also use it to do the opposite.

When you deposit money, you take the real money you have in your hand, let the machine eat it up and watch the money get added to your bank account.

Put into

So “withdraw” is quite formal and “take out” is quite informal.

Also “deposit” is quite formal and “put into” is quite informal.

“Someone’s put about four grand into my account! Where did it come from?”

Ways to describe the money you get

Payday

This is, surprisingly, the day you get paid.

Maybe it’s every Monday.

Or maybe it’s on the first of the month.

Or maybe it’s NEVER! (That job was awful.)

Salary

Usually when people talk about their salary, they’re describing how much they get paid every year or every month or, sometimes, every hour — but only two of these are technically correct.

A salary is how much you get paid every year.

However, you’ll often hear people talk about a “monthly salary.”

And that’s fine, as the monthly salary is calculated based on how much you make in a year.

Wage

So how do we describe the amount of money you get per hour?

That’s when “wage” comes in.

A wage is usually used to describe the money you get for one hour’s work.

Most countries have a minimum wage, which is the smallest amount of money a company can legally pay their workers.

Income

This is the money you get over a period of time.

So we can talk about a weekly income, a monthly income or a yearly income.

But we actually use this word in lots of others ways.

For example, a way to describe poor families or rich families is by using the term “low-income household” or “high-income household.”

This is often used by people who work in sales. Probably because when you’re trying to sell stuff to people, it’s good to avoid the words “rich” and “poor.”

We can also use the phrase “on a six-figure income” (an income with six numbers, e.g., $500,000).

It’s basically a way to say you’re rich:

“50 quid for a kettle? No problem — I’m on a six-figure income.”

Words to describe paying less

Discount

Here’s it is — your dream toaster:

It not only makes toast, but can filter coffee, travel through time and also make your enemies do embarrassing things in public.

But there’s a problem. A predictable one.

It’s really expensive — completely out of your price range.

Then, one day, the shop decides to sell it at a much cheaper price.

In fact, they cut the price by 80%.

That’s an 80% discount.

Now you can afford it!

Go get that toaster!

Sales

There are some times of the year when the shops go crazy with discounts.

In the USA, there’s an event called Black Friday. And it’s absolutely mental and ridiculous.

Just for one day, the shops discount everything — a lot.

As a result, people start queuing outside stores one, two, even three days before the special day.

When the doors open, everyone tries to kill each other (almost) to get to the cheap, heavily discounted, stuff:

via GIPHY

(Really — is stuff that important?)

Anyway, Black Friday is a massive sale — a period of time when a shop, or lots of shops, have big discounts.

You also have closing-down sales, when shops are about to close down, and they want to sell everything they have left.

When you buy something at a discount because it was part of a sale, you can say it was “on sale.”

“Do you really want to buy that?”
“Yeah — I think so. Anyway, it’s on sale.”

Mates’ rates

Sometimes shops give discounts.

But so do friends.

Let’s say you’ve got a good friend who does awesome tattoos.

Everyone wants her to do their tattoos.

In fact, she’s the most popular tattoo artist in town and, as a result, she charges a lot of money for them.

But not to you — you’re one of her best friends.

You can get a tattoo from her at a much cheaper price.

She’s your friend, so she charges you less.

She does that tattoo at mates’ rates — a discount for friends.

Ways of describing having no money

We’ve all been there, right?

That time when you just have no money to spend.

There are a few ways of describing this.

Skint

This is British English and basically means “without money — at least for now.”

It’s an adjective:

“Coming to the pub?”
“Not tonight, mate. I’m skint at the moment.”

Remember — it’s usually a temporary situation (like the day before payday). It’s different from being poor, which is something more permanent.

Broke

This is basically the same as “skint” but, it’s used outside the UK.

Flat broke

This means “very broke — really — I have literally NO money!”

Ways of describing how much stuff costs

Pricey

You know that feeling, right?

You’re in a new city, and you’re hungry.

You see a restaurant that looks quite good — not too posh, so probably not expensive.

You sit down and look at the menu … and the prices.

Now — if the menu was really expensive you’d just leave, right?

But what if it’s only a bit expensive?

Just a little bit more than it should cost?

Well — you’d probably stay, wouldn’t you?

Even though the menu’s a bit pricey — a little bit more expensive than it should be. But only a little bit.

A waste of money

OK. All of a sudden, you’ve got a grand.

Quick! What do you spend it on?

You could spend it on a trip around the world.

Or you could put it in the bank and save it.

Or you could renovate your kitchen — it really needs it.

All good ideas, right?

Or you could buy that giant dog statue you saw yesterday.

Not such a good idea, right?

What? You went for the dog statue? Seriously?

You’ve spent the money on something stupid! It’s a complete waste of money!

A bargain

When you buy something, and you get a great deal. It’s much cheaper than expected.

Perhaps it’s a skiing holiday in France for less than 100 bucks.

Or a beautiful teapot for just a quid.

Whatever it is, enjoy it — it’s a bargain!

Ways of describing spending money

Splash out

Awesome! You’ve received a bonus 200 quid in your salary this month.

What are you going to do with the extra cash?

Well — you could save it.

Or you could splash out on that dream toaster you’ve always wanted.

“Splash out” basically means “spend freely.”

It’s usually for a special treat — something you wouldn’t usually buy because it’s a little pricey. But just this once. This is a special occasion! Why not?

Blow it all

You decide to sell your car because you realise that bikes are way better. (They are!)

So you sell it, and you get a good deal for it.

One day you have loads of money in your pocket.

So you take all your friends out for a big meal.

The next day you wake up and check how much is left.

Nothing! Not a penny!

You’ve blown it all!

When you blow your money on something, it means you spend a lot of money on something useless.

“When he was fired, the company gave him 20 grand. Guess what? He blew it all on a golden toaster. Unbelievable!”

Break the bank

This means “spend more than you should” or “spend more than you can afford.”

However, it’s often used in the negative to give a good reason for buying something:

“Well — it looks fun … and the tickets are only five quid.”
“Yeah! Let’s do it! It’s not exactly going to break the bank!”

Ways of describing not spending money

Stingy

Here’s Tony. You may remember him from my post on negative personality adjectives:

He hates sharing his stuff.

And he most certainly will NOT be buying you a drink anytime soon.

He’s stingy!

It’s basically the opposite of “generous.”

Tight-fisted

This is basically the same as “stingy.”

We can also shorten it and just say “tight.”

“Hey, Tony! Can you lend me a couple of quid? I haven’t got enough on me for the ticket.”
“No. Buy your own ticket!”
“Come on! Don’t be so tight!”

On a tight budget

Money’s a funny thing, isn’t it?

Sometimes there are good times, and we feel like we can afford pretty much anything.

And sometimes there are … not-so-good times.

Times when we need to be careful about what we spend.

Times when even spending a quid or two on a cup of tea can break the bank.

That’s when we’re on a tight budget.

On a shoestring budget

This is similar to “on a tight budget,” but we use it when we’re describing how much money there is for a specific thing.

I have a friend who decided to cycle from Istanbul to Manchester on a shoestring budget.

Some of the best films were made on a shoestring budget.

Get the idea?

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OK, so that was a lot of money vocabulary — 42 words and phrases to talk about money in English.

But what did I miss?

What other words and phrases about money can you think of?

Let me know in the comments!

Did you like this post? Then be awesome and share by clicking the blue button below.

Деньги — настолько важная часть повседневной жизни, что в любом языке им отведено немало слов, выражений, о них сложено много пословиц, поговорок, загадок, денежная тематика прочно засела в идиомах. Но в учебниках этой теме обычно уделяется мало внимания, хотя, если вы путешествуете, то о деньгах на английском языке говорить придется чаще, чем о культуре, истории, литературе и прочих высоких материях.

В этой подборке я приведу полезные слова и интересные выражения на тему денег. Как обычно в рубрике «Английские слова по темам», слова приведены в виде карточек, списка и PDF-файла для распечатки (картонные карточки).

Содержание:

• Английские слова на тему «Деньги, финансы»
• Выражения о деньгах на английском языке
• Примечания

Английские слова на тему «Деньги, финансы»

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money	деньги
cash	наличные
to pay	платить
payment	оплата
price	цена
cost	стоимость
charge	плата
fee	плата
price tag	ценник
fine	штраф
to spend money	тратить деньги
to waste money	тратить деньги понапрасну
to borrow money	брать в долг
to lend money	давать в долг
to save money	экономить деньги (беречь, копить)
to make money	зарабатывать деньги
change	сдача (обмен)
small change	мелочь
bill	купюра
coin	монета
cheque (check)	чек
receipt	чек (при покупке)
credit card	кредитная карта
debit card	дебетовая карта
wallet	бумажник
purse	кошелек (сумочка)
ATM	банкомат
bank	банк
to deposite money (to pay in)	вносить деньги на счет
to withdraw money	снимать деньги со счета
bank account	банковский счет
transaction	транзакция
billing address	адрес для выставления счетов
payday	день зарплаты
salary (wages)	зарплата
paycheck	зарплатный чек
debt	долг
cashier	кассир (в магазине)
teller	кассир (в банке)
credit	кредит
currency	валюта
to exchange currency	обменивать валюту
exchange rate	курс обмена валюты
loan	ссуда
mortgage	ипотека
pension	пенсия

Выражения о деньгах на английском языке

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• to pay the bills — буквально: оплачивать счета, более широко: обеспечивать себя.

I gotta find a job to pay the bills. — Я должен найти работу, чтобы обеспечивать себя.

• be loaded — иметь много денег.

My uncle is loaded so he always buys us awesome presents. — У моего дяди много денег, поэтому он всегда покупает нам потрясающие подарки.

• be broke – быть без гроша в кармане.

I’ve wasted off my money. I’m broke. – Я растратил все деньги, я разорен.

• make a killing — зарабатывать много денег.

My sister made a killing working it the oil industry. — Моя сестра заработала много денег в нефтяной промышленности.

• make ends meet — иметь достаточно денег на жизнь, сводить концы с концами.

I lost my job and I’m having a hard time making ends meet. — Я потерял работу и едва свожу концы с концами.

• hand to mouth — жить бедно, едва перебиваться.

Since I lost my job I’ve had to live hand to mouth. — С тех пор, как я потерял работу, я с трудом перебивался.

• put in your two cents — выражать свое мнение, вносить свои пять копеек.

Let me put in my two cents. — Позвольте мне выразить свое мнение.

• on the house – за счет заведения (в барах, ресторанах)

This beer is on the house. — Это пиво за счет заведения.

• tighten your belt – затянуть поясок.

Another fine?  I’ll have to tighten my belt this month! — Еще один штраф? Придется затянуть поясок в этом месяце.

• be on the breadline — жить впроголодь, на грани выживания

Due to the recent crisis, there are more people on the breadline than
ever before. — Из-за недавнего кризиса, сейчас на грани выживания больше людей, чем когда-либо.

• other side of the coin – другая сторона медали.

The house is lovely and spacious, but the other side of the coin is that it is far from shops and schools. — Этот дом прекрасный и просторный. Но есть и другая сторона медали: он слишком далеко от магазинов и школ.

• at all costs – любой ценой.

Are sure you want to win at all costs? — Ты уверен, что хочешь победы любой ценой?

• keep your head above water – держаться на плаву, финансово выживать.

Business has been slow, but we’ve managed to keep our head above water. — Дела идут неважно, но мы держимся на плаву.

• keep the wolf from the door — перебиваться, бороться с нищетой, иметь достаточно денег только на базовые нужды: еду, крышу над головой.

In order to keep the wolf from the door, you need to have enough money to buy food and other essentials. — Чтобы хоть как-нибудь перебиться, тебе нужно достаточно денег на еду и вещи первой необходимости.

• look like a million dollars — отлично выглядеть, выглядеть на миллион.

With a new hairstyle she looked a million dollars! — С новой прической ты превосходно выглядишь!

• lose your shirt — лишиться всего, остаться без штанов.

He lost his shirt gambling. — Он остался без ничего, играя в азартные игры.

• have money to burn — иметь «лишние» деньги, которые можно легко спустить.

A fur coat is no problem for Molly. She’s got money to burn! — Шуба для Молли не проблема. У нее полно лишних денег.

• be paid peanuts — получать гроши.

Jenny has a very interesting job, but she’s paid peanuts. — У Дженни очень интересная работа, но платят там гроши.

• throw money at — пытаться решить проблему, бесполезным вливанием денег, не пробуя другие способы.

The social problems cannot be solved just by throwing money at it. — Общественные проблемы нельзя решить только за счет денег.

• it’s a highway robbery! — это грабеж (невыгодная сделка).

You paid $200 for that?  It’s a highway robbery! — Ты заплатил за это 200 долларов? Да это же грабеж!

• it’s a steal! — купить за бесценок, выгодная сделка, дешевое приобретение.

I got this bike at a garage sale and it was only 5 bucks! That’s a steal! — Я купил этот велик на гаражной распродаже, он стоил всего 5 баксов. Даром достался!

• chip in — скинуться, сложиться деньгами.

I’m gonna order a pizza. Let’s chip in. — Я закажу пиццу, давайте скинемся.

• on me — я заплачу (как правило, когда речь идет о счете в баре, кафе и т. д.)

— Let me see the check… — Дай-ка я взгляну на чек…

— Don’t worry about it. This is on me. — Не беспокойся, я заплачу. 

Примечания

1. Слово money — единственного числа, формы множественного числа нет. Например: There is no money — Здесь денег нет.
2. Слова borrow и lend имеют противоположные значения: I borrowed some money. — Я взял в долг немного денег; Can you lend me some money? — Не могли бы вы дать мне в долг немного денег?

3. Разница между price, cost, charge, fee.

Эти слова имеют схожие значения.

• Price — цена товара в магазине: What’s the price of this pillow? — Сколько стоит эта подушка?
• Cost имеет разные значения.
  • Цена, стоимость — What’s the cost of this pillow? — Сколько стоит эта подушка?
  • Расходы, стоимость: High cost of production — Высокая стоимость производства.
  • Цена, стоимость в фигуральном значении: Victory at all costs — Победа любой ценой.
  • В качестве глагола to cost значить «стоить»: How much does this pillow cost? — Сколько стоит эта подушка?
• Charge — очень многозначной слово, но в данном контексте может значить:
  • плата, взимаемая за что-то, обычно услугу. Например: Bank charge — Плата, взимаемая банком за операции.
  • расходы, затраты: The charges amounted $300 — Расходы составили 300 долларов.
  • Глагол to charge — назначать цену: Jack charged 50 bucks for his bike — Джек выставил цену своему велосипеду в 50 баксов.
• Fee — гонорар, плата, вознаграждение, получаемые за определенную работу или услугу: I’ll help you. $100 is my fee. — Я вам помогу. Мое вознаграждение составит 100 долларов.

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Здравствуйте! Меня зовут Сергей Ним, я автор этого сайта, а также книг, курсов, видеоуроков по английскому языку.

Подпишитесь на мой Телеграм-канал, чтобы узнавать о новых видео, материалах по английскому языку.

У меня также есть канал на YouTube, где я регулярно публикую свои видео.

Начнем с того, что таких синонимов очень и очень много. В нашем неидеальном мире деньги играют важную роль. Разные социальные группы имеют с ними разные отношения, но сталкиваться с деньгами приходится каждый день. Вот и возникает множество названий, которые отражают какое-то определенное отношение к деньгам, например показательно-пренебрежительное. Так возникает то, что мы называем сленгом. Только об этом чуть позже, начнем мы все-таки с общих названий денег.

Распространенные виды денег на английском языке

Во-первых, существуют banknotes и coins. Banknote (American English – bill) – a piece of paper money – купюра, банкнота. Coin – money made of metal – монета. Иногда монеты называют в честь металла, из которого они сделаны, например: copper (медь), silver (серебро).

Если кто-то предложит вам to flip a coin, вам придется выбрать heads or tails. Heads (орел) – это та сторона монетки, на которой изображен какой-то известный человек, точнее его голова, отсюда и название. Несмотря на то, что у монетки нет никакого хвоста, ее принято называть tails (решка), возможно, чтобы подчеркнуть противоположность heads.

Cуществует выражение “Heads I win, tails you lose”, что означает беспроигрышную ситуацию для кого-то. Смотрите не попадитесь, как Joey из сериала Friends!

Cheque/check (чек) – a piece of paper where you write an amount of money you have to pay for service. You don’t need to have real money to pay for things if you pay with cheque.

Cash (наличные деньги) – money in form of coins or banknotes as distinct from credit cars or cheques; readily available money. Другой вариант – hard cash. Существует еще выражение petty cash (деньги на мелкие расходы) – a small amount of money that is kept in an office for making small payments.

Change (сдача или мелочь) – if you pay for something with more money than the thing or service costs, then you will get some coins in return. У вас есть мелочь, которая постоянно теряется в сумке или кармане? Это loose change.

Funds (фонд, капитал предприятия) – amount of money that an organization has or requires to have.

Вам должно быть интересно, как называют деньги в Канаде? Предлагаем посмотреть следующее видео:

Деньги в сленге рэпперов

Теперь, как и обещалось, поговорим не просто об общих синонимах слова money, a о том, как называют деньги на сленге. Как известно, сленг – это слова, которыми пользуются определенные группы людей. Мы решили немного сузить наш список и остановиться на тех сленговых названиях денег, которые употребляются в американской рэп-музыке. Такой выбор не случаен, ведь деньги и связанные с ними блага – очень популярная тема в песнях этого стиля. Этимология таких выражений бывает очень занятной, но зачастую проследить ее слишком трудно и приходится теряться в догадках. Далее рассмотрим несколько интересных примеров.

Названия, связаные с известными людьми

Benjamins – 100$. Называют эти купюры так в честь Бенджамина Франклина (Benjamin Franklin), который изображен на них. Этот человек сыграл очень важную роль в становлении американского государства. Он является одним из отцов-основателей Соединенных Штатов Америки (The Founding Fathers of the United States of America), так как он вместе с другими подписал Декларацию о Независимости США (United States Declaration of Independence) и Конституцию США (United States Constitution).

Несколько интересных фактов о стодолларовой банкноте:

• С 1969 года это самая крупная купюра по номиналу (раньше были 500$, 1,000$, 5,000$, 10,000$).
• Это одна из двух купюр, на которой не изображен бывший президент США. Другая – 10-долларовая купюра, изображающая Александра Гамильтона (Alexander Hamilton), который, как и Бенджамин Франклин, является одним из отцов-основателей.
• Еще стодолларовые купюры называют С-notes, согласно римской нумерации, в которой 100 обозначается как С.

Аналогично употребляется слово Jacksons – 20$. На «двадцатке» изображен Эндрю Джексон (Andrew Jackson), 7-ой президент США.

Dead Presidents – в продолжение темы. Как уже упоминалось, большинство купюр изображают выдающихся президентов США, отсюда и название – мертвые президенты. Увы, живые личности не часто могут появиться на купюрах.

Термины, произошедшие от названий еды

Bread – очевидна параллель с тем, что хлеб во все времена считался одним из основных продуктов, без которых человек не может выжить. В таком метафорическом значении bread, конечно же, начал употребляться намного раньше. Еще в Библии встречается «хлеб наш насущный» – “our daily bread”. По аналогии употребляется это слово и в такой английской идиоме, как “someone’s bread and butter” – основной доход или деятельность, которая обеспечивает вам этот доход.

John doesn’t like his job but it is his bread and butter. – Джону не нравится его работа, но это то, чем он зарабатывает на хлеб с маслом.

То же самое касается слова dough, что в буквальном переводе означает «тесто» и тоже употребляется в значении «деньги».

Cheddar/chedda. Как известно, чеддер – это сорт сыра. Здесь проследить происхождение термина сложнее, тем не менее он достаточно популярен в хип-хоп песнях. Одна из версий подразумевает здесь намек на так называемый “government cheese”. C 60-х по 90-е в рамках специальной программы американское правительство обеспечивало нуждающиеся слои общества бесплатным сыром. Возможно, тот факт, что сыр выдавался простым людям теми, кто у власти, вызвал определенные финансовые ассоциации у тех, кто начал употреблять cheddar в таком значении. Хотя это только догадки.

Lettuce – что в переводе означает листья салата. Здесь, к счастью, все проще – листья салата зеленые, как и доллары.

Другие варианты названия денег на сленге

Lucci/luchini – это слово происходит от библейского выражения filthy lucre – презренный металл. Обычно под этим словом подразумевают деньги, полученные нечестным путем.

Racks – происходит от другого слова сленгового термина stack, т. е. 1000 долларов. Если сложить несколько stacks друг на друга, то получим rack, который может выглядеть вот так:

Кстати, еще деньги в хип-хоп песнях называют bands. А вообще bands – это резинки, которые используются для того, чтобы закрепить деньги в stack.

Fetti – это слово родом из Bay Area (область залива Сан-Франциско). Есть два предположения по поводу его происхождения. Первое – слово происходит от испанского слова feria (деньги). Второе – это сокращение от confetti, что тоже имеет право на существование, ведь деньги часто называют «бумажками» и многие, наверное, были бы не против попасть под «денежный дождь» наподобие того, который устраивают на праздниках, используя разноцветные бумажки-конфетти!

В завершение предлагаем вам прослушать несколько фрагментов песен и интервью и попробовать определить, какое из упомянутых сленговых выражений для обозначения денег на английском употребляется в них.

Если вы нашли ошибку, пожалуйста, выделите фрагмент текста и нажмите Ctrl+Enter.

• #1

I’m looking for British slang words for money.

I always thought blunt was one, but mostly I find it’s slang for a gutted cigar filled with pot. Is it not used for money/cash?

My context is this sentence where a London lawyer is warning his client.

«She may be after nothing but your _________.»

I specifically want British words for money.

Thanks,

AngelEyes

• #2

Hi,

Here are 2 to be going on with.

Cash

Dosh

Jamis.

• #3

Erm…

I’ve heard «quid» for pounds, but that’s not really «money.»

«notes» means money.

A dictionary search suggests «bread,» «pictures of the Queen,» «nicker» and even «sponds.»

I’m very curious to see what the natives really use

• #4

boodle, brass, bread, bread and honey, dosh, dough, gelt, gelter, green, handbag, lolly, measures, medza, moola, motza, poppy, readies, shekels, spondulicks, wad, wonga, yennaps

Meanings may connote different kinds of money sometimes. I suggest you take a look at this:http://www.businessballs.com/moneyslanghistory.htm#slang%20money%20meanings%20and%20origins

• #5

Thanks, Jamis.

Thing is, I just used dosh before this part.

«I received those other bills for that shopping excursion you took to all of those ladies’ boutiques and such. I’ve never known you to spend anywhere near this kind of dosh on a woman.”

And cash sounds much too American. I need more contrast in this additional dialogue.

That’s why I thought of blunt, but it seems this usage isn’t common now.

If you’re afraid a woman is only with you because you’re rich, what British word would apply?

«She might only be interested in your ________.»
The word blunt wouldn’t work here?

AngelEyes

• #6

Thanks, Tacherie. I’d already found that link.

My problem is that, to my ear, I just can’t hear an educated London lawyer say, «She might be only after your lolly.»

Would he???

But that is my problem. I don’t know for sure. I wouldn’t mind an earthy word if it sounds like something any British bloke might say.

AngelEyes

• #7

Why do you assume, or ask us to believe, that a British lawyer is apt to use a slang word, rather than simply saying assets or money?

Is background and context repugnant or useful?

• #8

What’s wrong with using «money»?

• #9

You must be telepathic, Packard!

That’s what I was going to suggest
_______
Oops, I see the telepathy’s three-way: cuchu, too

• #10

Why do you assume, or ask us to believe, that a British lawyer is apt to use a slang word, rather than simply saying assets or money?

Is background and context repugnant or useful?

I’ve been giving you background. Well, maybe it’s just been immediate context. Okay, let me explain a little more.

Since I’m writing his words, it’s my call to make him sound British to my ears. It’s not a judgment or a slam against British sensibilities. I’m creating a mood here using words. I want to create a British conversation and I know there’s a British term out there that would slip right into my sentence and make it work.

I’m not trying to make him sound like Eliza Doolittle. And actually, up to this point, he’s been using nice, proper words like expenditures, monetary assets and capital gains, and he’s even laughed at a joke about a margins call.

But it’s just this one sentence. He’s speaking plainly and directly to his client.

Maybe lolly wouldn’t be so bad…

AngelEyes

• #11

I agree with the last three posters. I suppose it would depend on the relationship between the lawyer and the client; a lawyer would have to be unusually familiar with their client to use slang words in this way. And I speak from quite a bit of experience.

Blunt would almost certainly be taken as referring to a marijuana cigarette, or at least the reference would distract from the intended meaning (even if the listener is familiar with «blunt» meaning cash, and I don’t think many would be).

• #12

I’m sorry, Angel Eyes, but I think ‘lolly’ would sound completely false in a conversation between a lawyer and a client. I’m not keen on ‘dosh’ either.

Unless of course your lawyer is a cockney?

• #13

I’ve never ever heard «lolly» being used to denote money…

• #14

I agree. I didn’t practise in London, but nevertheless — for what it’s worth — I can’t imagine using either «lolly» or «dosh» (in any circumstances, let alone with a client).

It seems to me you are creating a problem by rejecting, as overly American and un-British, the word «cash», which I think is a mistake. That’s exactly the word I would use.

• #15

This whole chapter is centered around the lawyer and his conversation with his client, who is an old friend from university days. They go way back and are very close. They know much about each other and speak frankly and plainly all the time.

Up to this point in the conversation, it’s been very proper, serious, and geared toward money, investments — even discussing opening a private account at Coutts & Company. I don’t want to repeat the word money or cash because they’ve been used more than once right before this.

And this sentence is now more personal and between friends. It’s descended into a buddy sort of exchange now.

Please tell me this: is blunt ever used to mean money? Or is that a horribly old-fashioned term that’s extinct?

AngelEyes

• #16

The last quotation of usage of the word blunt to mean money in the OED is from 1845. This is not a definitive indication, but it’s highly suggestive of the usage being rather dated.

Given the background (which would have been handy from the beginning) the lawyer may well use a slang word, although there is absolutely nothing inherently US about «cash».

• #17

The last quotation of usage of the word blunt to mean money in the OED is from 1845. This is not a definitive indication, but it’s highly suggestive of the usage being rather dated.

Given the background (which would have been handy from the beginning) the lawyer may well use a slang word, although there is absolutely nothing inherently US about «cash».

First of all, I can’t believe I didn’t give a fuller background to my question from the beginning, either! I’m guilty of just the thing I’ve thought of other posters here in the past! I’m so sorry.

And thanks, Matching Mole. I guess blunt would only be fitting then if this were more of an historical piece.

I also agree with you about using the word cash. I did use this word — and money, too. More than once before this particular sentence I’m asking about.

That’s why I want to avoid repetition, plus give a flavor of more intimacy with a slang word.

AngelEyes

• #18

I know that our teachers said not to use the same words over and over in a paragraph, but I am of the opinion that sometimes you really should use the single most appropriate word where needed even if you have used it before.

(Notice how often I used the word «word» in this post. What good would it have done to search for another word to use in its place?)

• #19

I would suggest loot. I´ve even had a lawyer use that word with me!

• #20

Thanks, Packard.

You make a good point. And it seems unanimous among the British members.

I still think there’s another word out there that would work, but I’m not going to belabor that here.

Thanks, everyone.

AngelEyes

• #21

I would suggest loot. I´ve even had a lawyer use that word with me!

Lis,

Now you’re talking. An American might also use that, too, but it sounds just unexpected enough that it could work.

Thanks!

AngelEyes

• #22

AngelEyes, I think the fact of the matter is simple — we simply don’t have many words for money! The only real alternatives to cash, dosh and dough (the only ones I can think of) are obscure regional terms that are not used widely enough to warrant their use

Hope that helps

• #23

Thanks, moo bottle.

Do you ever use the word fortune in England for a big sum of money?

«She might only be after your fortune.»

AngelEyes

• #24

Yes! That’s a good idea actually, I think that would work quite well! Good idea

• #25

As the sentence is constructed the word «money» is the only one that sounds correct to my ears.
If the lawyer was dropping into a more informal mode perhaps another phrase such as » she’s going to take you to the cleaners» would work better ?

Last edited: Dec 30, 2008

• #26

Hi Angel Eyes,

«Blunt» is a No in this situation.

There is nothing wrong with «Money»

Also…She might only be after your «Wealth»

Jamis.

• #27

As the sentence is constructed the word «money» is the only one that sounds correct to my ears.
If the lawyer was dropping into a more informal mode perhaps another phrase such as » she’s going to take you to the cleaners» would work better ?

I don’t like «loot» or «fortune» — at all — but I think this suggestion of Redshade’s is absolutely spot on. It’s perfect for the situation AngelEyes has described, and wholly believable that the lawyer in that scenario would use it.

• #28

Since this lawyer is talking to an old friend, I think «She may be after nothing but your hard-earned» is within the realms of possibility.

• #29

…

My context is this sentence where a London lawyer is warning his client.

«She may be after nothing but your _________.»

I specifically want British words for money.

Why use this structure? Why not use one of the terms for people who seduce others or marry for money?:

She may be nothing but a gold digger.

He may be nothing but an antique dealer.

• #30

Why use this structure? Why not use one of the terms for people who seduce others or marry for money?:

I’ve been thinking that as I reviewed the thread. Rather than seeking a word, why not
go for an entire idea? Suggest money without saying the word.

Have you considered that she may be after something other than your fine body and brilliant mind?​

If you are stubborn about maintaining the original sentence,

«She may be after nothing but your _________.»

you might consider a word that points to money, rather than being a synonym for it.

Gilt is an especially BE term. No American would think of using it.

Would this sound at all idiomatic to BE speakers? I have no idea!

She may be [may just be] after your gilts.
It is sometimes spelled guilt, which allows for all sorts of word play.

Last edited: Dec 31, 2008

• #31

These are all excellent suggestions!

Cuchu, yours caught my eye because you’re right, gilts is totally foreign to American eyes. What is the British opinion on this word? What exactly does it mean? Has it to do with his attributes or his assets in general?

Still, the others are so good, too.

One item:
This guy is money-driven — it really is one of the main themes of his salvation in this story. And she’s totally the opposite. She doesn’t even know what her bank balance is because she’s totally apathetic about money. So it’s been his issue in his past and also the main issue his lawyer and best friend zeroes in on. The line has to refer to money in some way — not his sexy body.

Where are a guy’s gilts anyway? Maybe I could make this one work.

And I have to admit, I thought «taking someone to the cleaners» was strictly American. It’s a surprise to learn differently!

AngelEyes

• #32

Hi AE-

Gilts are…dictionaries are wonderful things, aren’t they?

Compact OED:

. 2 (gilts) fixed-interest loan securities issued by the UK government. — ORIGIN archaic past participle of GILD

An AE equivalent, more or less, is «treasuries». Government bonds.

gilt

A bond issued through the United Kingdom Treasury and guaranteed by the British government. The market for gilt-edged securities is similar to the market for U.S. Treasury securities, with a high degree of safety, liquidity, and maturity selection.
Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms for Today’s Investor by David L. Scott.

• #33

Gilt is not a term I’ve used or heard used outside of picture framing. I would have taken it for a typo of ‘guilt’ — some inference to blackmail — in this context had the definition not been provided.

I would have thought ISA’s or ‘bonds’ were better known forms of savings accounts.

• #34

I think it depends on the era in which this tale is set. Though I wouldn’t recognise a gilt if one slapped me in the face, I have been vaguely aware of its existence as some sort of financial instrument much longer than I have been hearing about ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) which, if I remember rightly, came in in the 1990s.

Last edited: Dec 31, 2008

• #35

“She’s only interested in (the size of) your bank account,” is a common enough expression when speaking of gold-diggers or money-grabbers.

• #36

Or… She may just be after your wallet. Or…she may be just after your lucre.

Last edited: Dec 31, 2008

• #37

I want to thank you all for your input. It was very enlightening to see that, once again, I can’t predict English sensibilities and word choices.

I’m most surprised of all at the rejection of the term, dosh.

I found numerous mentions of it online after I really started to dig deeper.

For instance:
a. This play on words using it with one of the Spice Girls.
posh spreads dosh

b. Discussing it here along with the history of other British words for money:
history of dosh

c. And I wonder if it’s not more of an Irish term because it was used in this interview by this popular actor:
I wanted the dosh

Thank you all for your great opinions.

AngelEyes

Last edited: Jan 2, 2009

• #38

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the word ‘dosh’, except I think I’ve only ever really used it in jest, i.e. not as a serious alternative to money…

• #39

Although you all have left a lot of commentaries here already (and for me, to tell the truth, it was really riveting to read all this since I am a foreigner, an english learner and I need to know these slang words) I think there are some fresh ideas I can suggest which have not been mentioned so far.

1) gold, silver — this synonym for money is frequently used in different films (of course, I mean the ones which are originally British). These wordsare most often encountered in the films connected somehow with treasure hunt. They are sometimes used as an exclamation as well in the very moment of discovering treasure. In addition,….., the word treasure itself!!! What prevents it from denoting «money»?

2) 2 words I recently found in my dictionary. In fact, I am not sure that they are not dead however no such comment follows them: the necessary (something you constantly need to supply your living, i.e. money), the wherewithall. Looking forward to your commentaries regarding the last 2 words.

• #40

Well if a woman tells me she is after a man´s treasure, his wherewithall or his necessary I would suspect another meaning and think she is after sex with him.
But you are right, they are alternatives for money but use the words carefully!

• #41

Why not consider using shekel(s)? It works in UK-EN and US-EN (I believe). Even gentiles use this word for dosh!

GF..

• #42

Well if a woman tells me she is after a man´s treasure, his wherewithall or his necessary I would suspect another meaning and think she is after sex with him.
But you are right, they are alternatives for money but use the words carefully!

Quite so. If I learned that a woman was after my «treasure», I’d think my money market accounts were safe; it would be my virtue that I would worry about.

• #43

What virtue, Mr P?

AngelEyes, you’re in a minefield here. As is anyone who tries to navigate the choppy waters of BrE slang (what an excellent mixed metaphor, Loob).

I do like Redshade’s «she’s going to take you to the cleaners»

• #44

This whole chapter is centered around the lawyer and his conversation with his client, who is an old friend from university days. They go way back and are very close. They know much about each other and speak frankly and plainly all the time.

Up to this point in the conversation, it’s been very proper, serious, and geared toward money, investments — even discussing opening a private account at Coutts & Company. I don’t want to repeat the word money or cash because they’ve been used more than once right before this.

And this sentence is now more personal and between friends. It’s descended into a buddy sort of exchange now.

Please tell me this: is blunt ever used to mean money? Or is that a horribly old-fashioned term that’s extinct?

AngelEyes

If the lawyer has any suspicion or knowledge that some of the money was obtained via means not totally legal, they sound close enough that he might jovially refer to it as «filthy lucre» — but that may not fit with the plot so far!

• #45

I’m looking for British slang words for money.

I always thought blunt was one, but mostly I find it’s slang for a gutted cigar filled with pot. Is it not used for money/cash?

My context is this sentence where a London lawyer is warning his client.

«She may be after nothing but your _________.»

I specifically want British words for money.

Thanks,

AngelEyes

Would something like «coins» work? «She’s only after your coins»? It probably doesn’t sound rich enough, but could it work figuratively? Or maybe a little more sophisticated, French «sou» — «She may be after nothing but your sou»?

Good luck!

• #46

Loob,

I just sit and shake my head when I see that you and others really like «She’s going to take you to the cleaners.»

I’d never in a million years think that’s BrE.

While this lawyer is a very proper gent, he’s an average guy, too. This rich client of his is his best friend, so even though he’s professional in his work, he’s earthy and frank when expressing his opinions to him.

I’m still playing around with different scenarios. Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions!

AngelEyes