NationStates Jolt Archive

According to Wikipedia, "pounds" are commonly called "quid" in the UK, is this true? Also, if it is true, is it like how "dollars" are called "bucks" in the US?

On a side note, pounds are the awesomest currency system.

EDIT: The 's' I put was an accident. I either wasn;t thinking or am just a stupid Yank. ;)

Depends on the area. They're not called quids often here.

Occasionally, our dollars are called quids too. It's similar in use to bucks, yeah. "How much did that cost you?" "Ten quid."

Occasionally, our dollars are called quids too. It's similar in use to bucks, yeah. "How much did that cost you?" "Ten quid."

o.O
Who the heck do you talk to?

o.O
Who the heck do you talk to?

Bogans?

Bogans?

I was thinking more old people, maybe?

According to Wikipedia, "pounds" are commonly called "quids" in the UK, is this true? Also, if it is true, is it like how "dollars" are called "bucks" in the US?

On a side note, pounds are the awesomest currency system.

"The looney is down!" "OH HOW THAD FOR YOO."

I was thinking more old people, maybe?

How about old bogans who also happen to be nudists?

Nudists who have a sock fetish?

o.O
Who the heck do you talk to?

I haven't noticed it in Victoria. I guess it's a regional thing.

I haven't noticed it in Victoria. I guess it's a regional thing.

Judging from Finnegan's Wake the term is used in Ireland alot, although this may very well be wrong, I invite any Irishman on here to contradict me.

How about old bogans who also happen to be nudists?

Nudists who have a sock fetish?

Vogons? What?

How about old bogans who also happen to be nudists?

Nudists who have a sock fetish?

...:confused:

I haven't noticed it in Victoria. I guess it's a regional thing.

Could be? I don't know.

"The looney is down!" "OH HOW THAD FOR YOO."

Wouldn't "yoo" have the same pronunciation as "you"?

Wouldn't "yoo" have the same pronunciation as "you"?

Yes but in a much sillier voice, as played by Robin Williams.

Judging from Finnegan's Wake the term is used in Ireland alot, although this may very well be wrong, I invite any Irishman on here to contradict me.
Judiging from Finnegan's Wake Ireland is a magickal land where time travels in a perpetual circle, the laws of English don't apply, and people are ressurrected from the dead via alcohol.
I'm not sure whether this means Ireland is Heaven or if it is Hell, but it certainly doesn't make it normal.

Judiging from Finnegan's Wake Ireland is a magickal land where time travels in a perpetual circle, the laws of English don't apply, and people are ressurrected from the dead via alcohol.
I'm not sure whether this means Ireland is Heaven or if it is Hell, but it certainly doesn't make it normal.

Yeah, Ireland's messed up. =)

This doesn't exactly help...(damn NSGers going off-topic...)

This doesn't exactly help...(damn NSGers going off-topic...)

I remember the characters in the book Indian in the Cupboard used the term "quid" (no s) to refer to pounds. And they were brits.

I remember the characters in the book Indian in the Cupboard used the term "quid" (no s) to refer to pounds. And they were brits.
And PG Woodhouse also uses it in his books (Jeeves and Wooster...).

This doesn't exactly help...(damn NSGers going off-topic...)
Help? Who the Hell said anything about Help?

Well, okay, from what I get off of American Anglophiles and British comedies one may use "quid" to refer to "the pound". However, I don't believe that "quids" is the proper pluralization, it is simply "a quid" or "50 thousand million billion trillion gazillion quid."

I remember the characters in the book Indian in the Cupboard used the term "quid" (no s) to refer to pounds. And they were brits.

I might be using it incorrectly, it probably is quid, regardless of amount.

Well you can use quid and pound for English money terms on all numbers apart from 5 which is a fiver and 10 which is a tenner

Also thousands are measured in grand’s as in “50 grand”

edit: and what the hell am I doing up at 7 in the morning!?

Well you can use quid and pound for English money terms on all numbers apart from 5 which is a fiver and 10 which is a tenner

Also thousands are measured in grand’s as in “50 grand”

edit: and what the hell am I doing up at 7 in the morning!?

Fiver is seen/read in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. We also use Grand here. Although 'K' seems to be overpowering it, but some things (NY Daily News) and people (my dad) still use it. I prefer K though..."My IQ is well over 100K!"

EDIT: FINALLY a good non-contradicting answer.

I haven't noticed it in Victoria. I guess it's a regional thing.

One of my good mates here uses quid and bob all the time. I'll have to check again, but I'm fairly sure he's from Melbourne...

Judiging from Finnegan's Wake Ireland is a magickal land where time travels in a perpetual circle, the laws of English don't apply, and people are ressurrected from the dead via alcohol.

Considering humans make the same mistakes over and over and over again through history, text speak is now a valid way to make exams in New Zealand and lots of people do seem more lively after consuming some beverages that seems quite normal to me.

One of my good mates here uses quid and bob all the time. I'll have to check again, but I'm fairly sure he's from Melbourne...

I haven't heard quid used as a term for dollar. I do remember bob being used to mean 20c, when I was a kid. I haven't heard it lately.

Although, now that I think of it, quid is still used in phrases such as: "What do you do for a quid?" or "That's a tough way to earn a quid.". Dollar/buck is more commonly used though.

I think quid is pretty much archaic in Australian usage.

Judging from Finnegan's Wake the term is used in Ireland alot, although this may very well be wrong, I invite any Irishman on here to contradict me.

Yeah, Im English, and i spend about 4 months every year in ireland (thanks to relatives) and yes, the term is used, however, not quite as quaintly as you guys seem to think. Its only real use is when replying to a question about how much money you have spent etc. and one might reply '10 quid'. Its hard to explain. But yeah, its used. Hope you sleep better now.

During my romps in london town I head the word used quite often.

This doesn't exactly help...(damn NSGers going off-topic...)

I'll help: Yes we do, but it depends on where you live.

Well you can use quid and pound for English money terms on all numbers apart from 5 which is a fiver and 10 which is a tenner

Also thousands are measured in grand’s as in “50 grand”

edit: and what the hell am I doing up at 7 in the morning!?

So you can't say 5 quid or 10 quid?
"Grands" just mean thousands and have nothing to do with currency. 50 grand could be $ or £.
I call BS on this.

Yes we use the word quid. The plural for quid is....quid. So 1 quid or 100 quid. Its all good...

no quids here, but a quid on the other hand is alive and well

Judging from Finnegan's Wake the term is used in Ireland alot, although this may very well be wrong, I invite any Irishman on here to contradict me.
'Quid' was very commonly used back when our currency was the Irish púnt/pound. Now with the euro it's less commonly said, but sometimes I'd hear someone say quid.

Im from england and quid is still used, not all the time though

for example i'd say "I just got five pounds out of the bank" but if someone asked my i'd probably just say "oh, five quid"

Its more of a casual thing really

I haven't heard quid used as a term for dollar. I do remember bob being used to mean 20c, when I was a kid. I haven't heard it lately.


Bob is the slang term for shilling. Has fallen out of use in the UK when shillings were gotten rid of but I think it's still used in countries that have shillings as currency.

Alright Guv’nor! ‘Ow’s it goin?

Us Britishers do indeed use the word ‘quid’. And we drink tea through rotten teeth.

Excuse my rudeness kind sir, but I must take your leave as I have many a chimney to sweep.

Gor bless her majesty!

Yes, indeed, how utterly quid-tastic :)


So you can't say 5 quid or 10 quid?
"Grands" just mean thousands and have nothing to do with currency. 50 grand could be $ or £.
I call BS on this.


You can say 5 quid or 10 quid, but it's easier and quicker to say fiver or tenner. But no rules about it.
And he presumably means in colloquial speech. Like someone said before, usually in America people might say "I earn 22k a year"... here we'll most likely say 22 grand. Listen http://www.last.fm/music/The+Rakes/_/22+Grand+Job :)

So no BS

According to Wikipedia, "pounds" are commonly called "quids" in the UK, is this true? Also, if it is true, is it like how "dollars" are called "bucks" in the US?
In my experience "quid" is used as both singular and plural. No "s" is added. As for "bucks", that's an informal thing, right? Same with "quid".

On a side note, pounds are the awesomest currency system.
Naturally.

Bob is the slang term for shilling. Has fallen out of use in the UK when shillings were gotten rid of but I think it's still used in countries that have shillings as currency.

That makes sense then. The 20c coin is the same size as the old shilling coin. Aus went to decimal currency in 1966, so it's been a while since we used pounds, shillings & pence.

[QUOTE=H N Fiddlebottoms VIII;11935986]Judiging from Finnegan's Wake Ireland is a magickal land where time travels in a perpetual circle, the laws of English don't apply, and people are ressurrected from the dead via alcohol./QUOTE]

That's a fair description of Derry City actually....

I use the term "quid" all the time even since we have changed from the Irish Punt to the Euro.

According to Wikipedia, "pounds" are commonly called "quids" in the UK, is this true? Also, if it is true, is it like how "dollars" are called "bucks" in the US?

On a side note, pounds are the awesomest currency system.

no, its quid - singular.

as in "it cost me 20 quid!"



you do not say "i have 20 quids in my wallet"

According to Wikipedia, "pounds" are commonly called "quids" in the UK, is this true? Also, if it is true, is it like how "dollars" are called "bucks" in the US?

On a side note, pounds are the awesomest currency system.

well you wouldn't put the 's' on the end but yes. i currently have 15 quid in all the world. damn utility companies telling me i can only pay by direct debit.

if i were feeling silly though i could say i only have 15 'squids' in all the world.


edit: oo, i just thought of an occaision you might put an 's' on the end of quid. there was a pub in jersey a while ago called 'Quids Inn', all drinks were a pound. and the phrase 'quids in' means you've come into some money... i think... usually with gambling as far as i'm aware.

well you wouldn't put the 's' on the end but yes. i currently have 15 quid in all the world. damn utility companies telling me i can only pay by direct debit.

if i were feeling silly though i could say i only have 15 'squids' in all the world.


edit: oo, i just thought of an occaision you might put an 's' on the end of quid. there was a pub in jersey a while ago called 'Quids Inn', all drinks were a pound. and the phrase 'quids in' means you've come into some money... i think... usually with gambling as far as i'm aware.

"Quids in" is probably "quid's in" as a contraction. As in "quid is in", meaning a windfall or a payday.

As for the origin of "quid" for money, I'll wager, without looking at Wiki or elsewhere online, that it's a hold-over from the Roman occupation of England/Ireland. My guess would be that it comes from the phrase "quid pro quo", meaning "something for something" or "this for that" (still used today to mean a trade of favors, etc.). Once currency got into the picture, the "something" (cash) that you gave for the other "something" (the item, service or person desired) simply became "quid" -- which also explains why it doesn't get the "s" plural.

How's that for a little off-the-noggin etymology?

"Quids in" is probably "quid's in" as a contraction. As in "quid is in", meaning a windfall or a payday.

ah, that makes more sense. i didn't think it looked right without the apostrophe but i wasn't sure whether it was correct or not.

As for the origin of "quid" for money, I'll wager, without looking at Wiki or elsewhere online, that it's a hold-over from the Roman occupation of England/Ireland. My guess would be that it comes from the phrase "quid pro quo", meaning "something for something" or "this for that" (still used today to mean a trade of favors, etc.). Once currency got into the picture, the "something" (cash) that you gave for the other "something" (the item, service or person desired) simply became "quid" -- which also explains why it doesn't get the "s" plural.

How's that for a little off-the-noggin etymology?

pretty fair, pretty fair

:)

According to Wikipedia, "pounds" are commonly called "quids" in the UK, is this true? Also, if it is true, is it like how "dollars" are called "bucks" in the US?

On a side note, pounds are the awesomest currency system.

Yes, most people from my area call pounds "quids" in the same way that Dollars can be called "bucks".

Judging from Finnegan's Wake the term is used in Ireland alot, although this may very well be wrong, I invite any Irishman on here to contradict me.

yes we say quids. i usually say squids though.

Ok, I'll come to the conclusion that quid is the British(and Irish and Australian) equivalent of buck. Sorry about the 's'...What do you expect from a Yank? ;)

Ok, I'll come to the conclusion that quid is the British(and Irish and Australian) equivalent of buck. Sorry about the 's'...What do you expect from a Yank? ;)

By actually knowing something about a foreign country, you're doing better than the expectation.

22 Acacia Avenue

If you're feeling down depressed and lonely,
I know a place where we can go.
22 Acacia Avenue, meet a lady that I know.
So if you're looking for a good time,
And you're prepared to pay the price.
Fifteen quid is all she ask for,
Everybody's got their vice.
Seems like it.

By actually knowing something about a foreign country, you're doing better than the expectation.

Yay! I also originally had Yankee until I realized Yank is more correct. Lately I've become very interested in British culture and history and stuff...which would explain many things...

"Quid" is used quite regularly. So is "pound" in place of "pounds'".

Example:
£2 would usually be either
a) "two quid" or,
b) "two pound" (note the singular form of "pounds")

Depends where you are, quid is more a southern term, up ehre we have:

Tanners-10 pound not
Wuids-Pound coins
tuppence-two pounds
sheep-fivers

Depends where you are, quid is more a southern term, up ehre we have:

Tanners-10 pound not
Wuids-Pound coins
tuppence-two pounds
sheep-fivers

Good Lord, is it really Aust? :eek:

I thought you'd been eaten by a sheep or something.

I'll answer the OP, even though it's been done already. Quid is a perfectly normal way of saying 'pounds', although I don't use it very much.

Depends where you are, quid is more a southern term, up ehre we have:

Tanners-10 pound not
Wuids-Pound coins
tuppence-two pounds
sheep-fivers

Never heard them before. Tuppence used to be the term for two old pence, back before decimalisation, but the rest are news to me.

*is a geordie living in W.Yorks*

Never heard them before. Tuppence used to be the term for two old pence, back before decimalisation, but the rest are news to me.

*is a geordie living in W.Yorks*

ditto - never heard of them bar tuppence (and that's only from Mary Poppins :cool: )

that said i'm about as southern as you can get living in Southampton...

Yay! I also originally had Yankee until I realized Yank is more correct. Lately I've become very interested in British culture and history and stuff...which would explain many things...

Here Yank usually becomes Seppo ... Australians are a funny bunch... everything has to be "Abbreviated" even if it makes it longer and completely unrelated.

eg.

John
becomes
Jack
becomes
Jacko

Yank
becomes
...
becomes
Seppo

And yeah my dad still uses quid all the time. I think its mostly folk who grew up using pounds.. those of us born after 1956 tend to use bucks.. at least thats been my experience

I can't believe you didn't know that, everyone I know calls them quids. I thought they would be as known in America as "bucks" are here.

What about like
Apples and pears = Upstairs
Britney Spears = Beers

According to Wikipedia, "pounds" are commonly called "quid" in the UK, is this true? Also, if it is true, is it like how "dollars" are called "bucks" in the US?

I think that everywhere I have lived in the UK, they use quid for pounds. Of course, not everyone does and it is just slang. I never heard a shop "That'll be 60 quid." But I think that I use pound and quid about equally when talking to people that I know. People do use "fiver" and "tenner" for £5 and £10 notes as well but I don't think I hear people saying that as much.

I haven't heard quid used as a term for dollar. I do remember bob being used to mean 20c, when I was a kid. I haven't heard it lately.

Although, now that I think of it, quid is still used in phrases such as: "What do you do for a quid?" or "That's a tough way to earn a quid.". Dollar/buck is more commonly used though.

I think quid is pretty much archaic in Australian usage.

Just checked with G. Yes, he's from Melbourne, and yes he uses quid and bob.

Here Yank usually becomes Seppo ... Australians are a funny bunch... everything has to be "Abbreviated" even if it makes it longer and completely unrelated.

eg.

John
becomes
Jack
becomes
Jacko

Yank
becomes
...
becomes
Seppo

Being a Reb, Yank grates on me a whole lot more than Seppo. Seppo usually makes me laugh, while Yank tends to put my hackles up. Of course, my many good Aussie mates know this and make good use of it to take the piss... :D

And yeah my dad still uses quid all the time. I think its mostly folk who grew up using pounds.. those of us born after 1956 tend to use bucks.. at least thats been my experience

My mate mentioned above, G., is over 50.

Well you can use quid and pound for English money terms on all numbers apart from 5 which is a fiver and 10 which is a tenner

Also thousands are measured in grand’s as in “50 grand”


'Fiver' and 'Tenner' more refer to the notes themselves. If you gave someone two fivers you could say "here's ten quid" but you could not say "here's a tenner".

When saying how much something cost you could say either "ten quid" or "a tenner", but if you said 'a tenner' I would think it sounds like you paid with a ten pound note.

'Quid' is only really used for upto £1000, beyond that as Call to Power says you'd say 'Ten Grand' (£10,000) or 'Ten K'. 'K' is becoming more common.

According to Wikipedia, "pounds" are commonly called "quid" in the UK, is this true? Also, if it is true, is it like how "dollars" are called "bucks" in the US?

On a side note, pounds are the awesomest currency system.

EDIT: The 's' I put was an accident. I either wasn;t thinking or am just a stupid Yank. ;)

Why have their been so many posts for such a simple answer?

Yes, they often are, by many people.

Yes, it is like how dollars are called 'bucks'.

'Quid' is only really used for upto £1000, beyond that as Call to Power says you'd say 'Ten Grand' (£10,000) or 'Ten K'. 'K' is becoming more common.

Grand and K are slang for "thousand" and has nothing to do with the currency.

Being a Reb, Yank grates on me a whole lot more than Seppo. Seppo usually makes me laugh, while Yank tends to put my hackles up. Of course, my many good Aussie mates know this and make good use of it to take the piss... :D


But Seppo = septic tank = yank, so you should be equally offended :)

So you can't say 5 quid or 10 quid?
"Grands" just mean thousands and have nothing to do with currency. 50 grand could be $ or £.
I call BS on this.

Well yeah you can say 5 quid or 10 quid also. Depends on who you talk to, but generally "fiver" or "tenner" would be used instead of 5 quid or 10 quid.

As for the "grand" thing, the currency is dependant on the country you're in obviously!

*LMAO*

Grand and K are slang for "thousand" and has nothing to do with the currency.

Say what? You can use "grand" or "K" whenever you want... it's not like you can't use it for speaking about sums of money.:confused: Clearly one could tell what currency is being spoken about by conversational context.

Errr... You're both agreeing with what I said but you think you're disagreeing. :rolleyes:

The "grand" or "k" does not refer to any specific currency.

We occasionally call pounds 'quid' over here, sometimes changed to 'squid' (because most people I know are weird).

I thought a 'grand' was £1000, but as a student I rarely get to see such money.

I've never met anyone who puts the 's' on the end though (unless they're using 'squids').
Most people say they have 2 quid, instead of 2 quids.

Depends where you are, quid is more a southern term, up ehre we have:

Tanners-10 pound not
Wuids-Pound coins
tuppence-two pounds
sheep-fivers

Wow, Ive never heard of any of them and I live in Yorkshire :confused:

Depends on the area. They're not called quids often here.

Thats only because the scots dont deal with currency with that high....;)

Wow, Ive never heard of any of them and I live in Yorkshire :confused:
Same here. Maybe things are different out in the countryside or something...

Anyway - It's not 'quids', it's 'quid', no matter how many of them are involved.

Other forms include :

Squid (from students/mothers trying to be amusing)
Ackers (Birmingham)

Doubtless others also...

Oh and Britney Spears are ears, not beers, whoever mentioned that.

Grand and K are slang for "thousand" and has nothing to do with the currency.

what are you on about?

In the UK you would say "Nine Hundred Quid" but you would not likely say "Two Thousand Quid" you'd say "Two K" or "Two Grand" (in my corner of this country that is)

Quid is normally only used for values less than 1000 pounds.

Which is why I brought up Grand and 'K'.

Which I thought was pretty obvious in the contecxt of the first post i made...

Obviously in the UK if you say grand when refering to cash it should be clear from context you are talking about Pounds. Unless you are talking to tourists or bankers or something...

*snip*

Being a Reb, Yank grates on me a whole lot more than Seppo. Seppo usually makes me laugh, while Yank tends to put my hackles up. Of course, my many good Aussie mates know this and make good use of it to take the piss... :D

I'll just continue to think of you as Japanese then. ;)

Good Lord, is it really Aust? :eek:

I thought you'd been eaten by a sheep or something.

I'll answer the OP, even though it's been done already. Quid is a perfectly normal way of saying 'pounds', although I don't use it very much.

yes it is....it spat me out. didn't liek the taste

Bob is the slang term for shilling. Has fallen out of use in the UK when shillings were gotten rid of but I think it's still used in countries that have shillings as currency.

I still here "Bob" around where I live as much as I hear "quid" or "pounds" :confused: