Have you ever heard the term “monkey” used to describe $500? This slang term is widely used in the UK, especially in cockney rhyming slang, a subset of slang that substitutes rhymes for other words. For instance, “monkey” rhymes with “500”, hence the term is employed to denote this particular sum of money. But why precisely is $500 referred to as a “monkey”?
The origins of this slang phrase are the subject of numerous theories. According to one idea, it originated with soldiers who came back to Britain from India in the 1800s. Supposedly, a 500 rupee note with an image of a monkey on it would be given to the soldiers. The word “monkey” became slang for this sum because the soldiers would exchange this note for £500 in British money.
According to a different hypothesis, the phrase “the monkey” refers to a form of gambling game that was common in the 19th century. Participants in this game would wager on one of six monkeys, each of which had a name associated with a different nation. You would gain £500 if the monkey representing the nation you gambled on won the race. According to this notion, this sum of money was thereafter referred to as a “monkey” in slang.
Regardless of where it came from, the phrase “monkey” has entered British slang for £500. But how much exactly is £10,000. Also known as “10 grand”? Considering that “grand” is another colloquial phrase for $1,000, 10 grand would be the same as $10,000. A “pony cockney” would be £250 because a “pony” is slang for $25.
There are numerous additional slang names for money used in Britain in addition to “monkey”. For instance, “bob” is slang for shillings, and “quid” is a phrase for pounds. “Bread” (which refers to money in general), “dough” (which refers to cash), and “scratch” (which refers to money that has been earned) are some more prevalent slang names for money.
The slang phrase “100,” which is frequently used to signify “perfect” or “excellent,” is the last one. The perfect score of 100 in a variety of sports and games, including cricket or darts, is said to be where this phrase first appeared. When something is rated “100” in this context, it means that it is as good as it possible can be.
In conclusion, although the origin of the name “monkey” as slang for £500 is unclear, it has nonetheless spread across British vernacular. Although there are many other slang names for money in use in the UK, “monkey” is still among the most well-known.