Who doesn’t love the feeling on payday when you see your paycheck land (end up, come into) in your account? But how exactly do you talk about your money? There are tons of different money slang words in English, and all of them have interesting backgrounds. It’s all about the Benjamins (100 Dollar bills) this week as we dive into money slang and different words we use for money in English. So let’s take a look at money and the slang we use to talk about it!

Money Slang in English

Cash

Cash is probably one of the words I use the most to talk about my money. Cash can refer to any kind of money, but it’s typically used to talk about physical (real, can hold in your hand) money. Interestingly, cash was first used in the 1500s to talk about money, and comes from the French word casse, a case or a box, which could be used to keep money in.

For example:

• I want to go to the movies with my friends, but I don’t have enough cash. I have to wait until I get paid.
• Do you have any cash? This store doesn’t take card.

Bacon

Have you ever heard the phrase “bringing home the bacon?” Bacon, while delicious with pancakes, can also be used to talk about money or wealth. Bacon has been used as money slang since the 1920s, and has a few different origins. Some say it refers to a time when bacon was expensive, so if you were “bringing home the bacon,” you had enough money to buy more expensive cuts of meat. Others say it comes from county fair games, where winners were given a greased pig.

Wherever it comes from, it’s a fun way to talk about your money!

For example:

• I just got a promotion at work, so I’ll really be bringing home the bacon when I get that raise!
• My dad always brought home the bacon. His job paid a lot, so we were pretty well off (doing well financially).

Moolah

Whenever I hear this word, I always think of my mom. She definitely uses the word moolah to refer to money. While moolah has been used to talk about money since the late 1930s, no one really knows where this term comes from. Have you ever heard someone use the word moolah before?

For example:

• I found some money on the ground at the soccer game. More moolah for me!
• Since getting his raise, he’s really bringing in the moolah. He’s doing really well for himself.

Make bank

It makes sense to refer to our money by the place where we keep it. You keep your money in the bank, and you can also say that you’re “making bank” if you’re making a lot of money. While it started referring to a large amount of money in the 1990s, bank as a slang term for money can be traced back to the 1500s.

For example:

• I interviewed for a new job where I would really make bank. I hope I get it!
• Before she changed jobs, she made bank. However, following her dreams was more important to her than making a lot of money.

Bucks

How many bucks do you have in your pocket right now? Bucks is an American slang term for money that’s been used since the 1850s. It likely has its origin from when deer skins were used as currency (money). Deer skins, or skins from male deer (called bucks), were valued at about $1 at the time. Now we still use bucks to talk about money, but luckily we don’t have to carry deer skins around with us all the time!

For example:

• I have about 20 bucks on me. Do you think that will be enough?
• She has 50 bucks in cash on her, and another 300 bucks back at the hotel. I think we’ll be fine for now.

Have you ever used any of these slang terms for money? Can you think of any more? Share with us in the comments below!