Money money money

[shirebound]

I have a question for those of you in countries who use non-U.S. currency. We have a lot of aphorisms concerning our coinage, such as

Comments

[gentlehobbit]

While we don't use U.S. currency, our denominations are the same as yours (except for the $2 unit). So, we use many of the same sayings you do. The ones I am familiar with (and have perhaps used) are

A penny saved is a penny earned
My car turns on a dime
They're a dime a dozen
A penny for your thoughts

The only one I don't know really is the "plug nickel" one, though I think I've heard it before in an American context.

I can't think of any particular Canadian sayings or aphorisms, but we do have a term: the lucky loonie. It refers to loonies hidden under the ice of hockey arenas to bring good luck -- which it has in the Olympics. Here's a link if you're interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_1_dollar_coin

You'll need to scroll about half way down to see the story.

[shirebound]

I hadn't heard of a loonie before, or that 'good luck' custom. Thanks for sharing!

[gentlehobbit]

You hadn't heard of a loonie before? Then I suppose you haven't heard of a toonie either (our two-dollar coin). What with Loonies and Toonies, and Americans referring to our coloured paper money as "Monopoly money", folk south of the border have been having giggles at our money for years!

;)

[shirebound]

Loonies and toonies, oh dear! Those are both new terms for me, so you can be assured I haven't been making fun of them. :D

[gentlehobbit]

Oh, but they are so easily made fun of! We do it all the time! ;D

You will simply have to be introduced to our rather silly currency when we next meet! :D

[sayhello]

I'd never heard of loonies & toonies before, either!

Learn something knew every day.

Oh, and here's an explanation for "plugged nickel".

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/260800.html

Hewene

[gamgeefest]

So if someone were to go crazy over money, would you call them Looney Toons? lol! Would Yosemite Sam show up to straighten that person out? I've never heard of loonies and toonies either, but that is very humorous.

We don't have a two-dollar coin, but we do have a two-dollar dollar. They're just not that common. Our money is slowly starting to look like Monopoly money though, so we're catching up with you! :D

[ramblin_rosie]

I think it's actually "a plugged nickel," referring to a coin that's been used for target practice and thus rendered worthless as currency.

[gentlehobbit]

Oh! So that's where it comes from. I wondered what lay behind that particular saying. Thank you!

[shirebound]

I hadn't heard that explanation before! I also found on the web three additional origins to the phrase 'plugged nickel', so the poor nickel has been through a lot over the years. :)