What does Monkey mean in Cockney?

The most widely recognised Cockney rhyming slang terms for money include ‘pony’ which is £25, a ‘ton’ is £100 and a ‘monkey’, which equals £500. Also used regularly is a ‘score’ which is £20, a ‘bullseye’ is £50, a ‘grand’ is £1,000 and a ‘deep sea diver’ which is £5 (a fiver).

Why do they call 25 pounds a pony?

The 25 rupee note has a pony on it. Therefore when the British soldiers got back from India they adopted this term with pounds. This use of “pony” for £25 is a bookmaking term. So at one stage a £25 would have been a good price to back, hoping that a good pony would win; and also pay to buy a pony at a horsefair.

What is a fiver in cockney rhyming slang?

Cockney rhyming slang for a fiver is a ‘Lady Godiva’, and the group the Commodores are best-known for their song ‘Three Times A Lady’. Beehive (47 per cent) – Rhyming slang for five; hence a five-pound note.

Where does the term monkey for money come from?

The British empire’s control of India led to a number of phrases making their way across from the Raj to our shores, with a ‘monkey’ perhaps the most famous. Referring to £500, this term is derived from the Indian 500 Rupee note of that era, which featured a monkey on one side.

Why is money called Cheddar?

Meaning: Slang term for money. Derived from the fact Americans on welfare used to receive cheese as part of their benefits. Explanation: This well-known American phrase was born at the end of WWII. Welfare packages included a hearty lump of cheese – so to receive your cheese meant to receive your benefits.

Why is monkey called a monkey?

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word “monkey” may originate in a German version of the Reynard the Fox fable, published circa 1580. In this version of the fable, a character named Moneke is the son of Martin the Ape.

What does Poppy mean in Cockney slang?

From cockney rhyming slang, bread and honey = money, and which gave rise to the secondary rhyming slang ‘poppy’, from poppy red = bread.