Many are now obsolete typically words which relate to pre-decimalisation coins, although some have re-emerged and continue to do so. Here are the most common and/or interesting British slang money words and expressions, with meanings, and origins where known. Backslang reverses the phonetic (sound of the) word, not the spelling, which can produce some strange interpretations, and was popular among market traders, butchers and greengrocers. Certain lingua franca blended with 'parlyaree' or 'polari', which is basically underworld slang.īackslang also contributes several slang money words. This contributed to the development of some 'lingua franca' expressions, i.e., mixtures of Italian, Greek, Arabic, Yiddish (Jewish European/Hebrew dialect), Spanish and English which developed to enable understanding between people of different nationalities, rather like a pidgin or hybrid English. London has for centuries been extremely cosmopolitan, both as a travel hub and a place for foreign people to live and work and start their own busineses. While the origins of these slang terms are many and various, certainly a lot of English money slang is rooted in various London communities, which for different reasons liked to use language only known in their own circles, notably wholesale markets, street traders, crime and the underworld, the docks, taxi-cab driving, and the immigrant communities. This section is in advanced English and is only intended to be a guide, not toīe taken too seriously! Slang money words, meanings and origins Double click on any word for its definition.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |