“Money makes the world go round,” or so the saying goes. From everyday expenses to life’s big dreams, money plays a central role in our lives. It’s no wonder then that throughout history and across cultures, people have developed countless creative and colorful ways to refer to it without actually saying “money.” These Nicknames For Money, or slang terms, add a playful and sometimes secretive layer to our conversations about finances.
Whether you’re a writer looking to spice up your dialogue, a content creator aiming for a relatable voice, or simply curious about the evolution of language, understanding these money nicknames can be both entertaining and enlightening. Let’s dive into a comprehensive list of over 100 slang terms for money, exploring their origins and meanings.
Slang Terms for Money: A Comprehensive A-Z List
1. Bacon
This breakfast favorite often symbolizes bringing home the “bacon,” representing the earnings needed to support a family. The savory treat has become synonymous with financial reward and success in providing.
2. Bank
The direct association with financial institutions makes “bank” an obvious nickname for money. Phrases like “making bank” highlight substantial earnings and financial prosperity, linking personal wealth to the concept of a bank’s overflowing coffers.
3. Bankroll
Originally referring to a roll of banknotes, “bankroll” now simply means available funds or resources. It suggests having the financial backing necessary for a venture or purchase, painting a picture of readily accessible wealth.
4. Bean
An older, less common term, “bean” once represented a dollar. Its usage has faded over time, becoming more of a historical curiosity than a contemporary slang term.
5. Benjamins
This iconic nickname refers specifically to hundred-dollar bills, thanks to the portrait of Benjamin Franklin. “Benjamins” evokes images of large denominations and significant sums of cash, instantly recognizable in popular culture.
6. Benji
A shortened, more casual version of “Benjamins,” “Benji” also points to hundred-dollar bills featuring Benjamin Franklin. It retains the same connotation of substantial cash but in a more informal tone.
7. Big Ones
Following the pattern of “grand” and “large,” “big ones” signifies thousands of dollars, with each “big one” representing $1,000. This term is often used when discussing large sums, like car prices or investments.
8. Bills
While technically referring to banknotes, “bills” is often used as slang, especially for hundred-dollar bills. It’s a straightforward and widely understood way to talk about paper currency.
9. Bones
“Bones” is a casual term interchangeable with “dollars.” It adds a slightly edgy or informal feel when discussing prices or amounts of money, moving away from standard financial language.
10. Boodle
This term carries a shady connotation, referring to illicit or questionable money, like bribes or stolen funds. “Boodle” suggests hidden and potentially illegal financial dealings.
11. Brass (UK)
Originating in Northern Britain, “brass” is a regional slang term for money. Its roots are believed to stem from scrap dealers who valued brass as a valuable material, linking hard-earned money to this metal.
12. Bread
Like “bacon,” “bread” as slang for money emphasizes its essential nature, similar to food. It’s been used since the 19th century, highlighting money as a means of sustenance and livelihood.
13. Bucks
Perhaps the most universally recognized slang for dollars, “bucks” is thought to originate from colonial times when deerskins (“buckskins”) were a common trade item. It’s a deeply ingrained and versatile term.
14. C-Note
Derived from the Roman numeral for 100 (C) and the Latin word “centum,” a “C-note” specifically means a $100 bill. It’s a slightly more formal or historical slang term.
15. Cabbage
The resemblance of tightly packed green bills to cabbage heads is the likely source of this term. It’s a visual and somewhat humorous way to refer to bundles of cash.
16. Cake
Evoking images of celebratory sweetness and indulgence, “cake” as money slang suggests something desirable and rewarding. It implies that money is something to be enjoyed and celebrated.
17. Cash (or Cash Money)
While literally meaning physical currency, “cash” or “cash money” is often used in slang to emphasize readily available funds, especially in contrast to credit or other forms of payment.
18. Capital
In business, “capital” refers to financial assets, but in slang, it can broadly mean any form of money. It can be used playfully to elevate everyday money to a more formal-sounding term.
19. Celery
Joining “cabbage” and “lettuce,” “celery” is another green vegetable used as a money nickname, again likely due to the color of dollar bills. It adds to the collection of food-related money slang.
20. Cha-Ching
Mimicking the sound of a cash register, “cha-ching” is an onomatopoeic term for money, often used when a sale is made or money is earned. It’s a playful and instantly recognizable sound associated with financial transactions.
21. Chalupa
Borrowing from the name of a Mexican dish, “chalupa” is surprisingly also slang for money. The connection is less clear, but it adds to the diverse and sometimes random nature of slang terms.
22. Cheddar
“Cheddar,” like cheese, implies wealth and financial substance. To “have the cheddar” means to be financially well-off or successful.
23. Cheese
Similar to “cheddar,” “cheese” as money slang may originate from times when cheese was distributed as welfare, linking it to financial assistance and, by extension, money in general.
24. Chips
Drawing from poker terminology, “chips” refers to money, especially in gambling contexts. It highlights the transactional and sometimes risky nature of money, similar to poker chips in a game.
25. Chump Change
“Chump change” describes a negligible or small amount of money, the kind a “chump” (fool) might possess. It emphasizes the insignificance of a sum, often in comparison to a larger amount.
26. Clams
“Clams” is another term for dollars, often used in casual conversation. Like “bucks,” it’s a classic and well-understood slang term for US currency.
27. Cream
Acronym for “Cash Rules Everything Around Me,” popularized by the Wu-Tang Clan. “Cream” represents the all-encompassing influence of money and its central role in life, as highlighted in the famous song.
28. Coin
“Coin” can be used more broadly to ask for money, such as “Can I borrow some coin?” It’s a general term for currency, whether coins or bills.
29. Dead Presidents
American banknotes feature portraits of deceased presidents (and Benjamin Franklin). “Dead presidents” is a slightly cynical yet humorous way to refer to US currency, emphasizing the historical figures on the bills.
30. Dime
While a “dime” is a ten-cent coin, the term can broadly mean money or an expense. “Not on my dime!” expresses refusal to pay for something, highlighting control over one’s finances.
31. Dinero
Spanish for “money,” “dinero” was adopted into English slang, especially in the American West, from the mid-19th century. It adds a touch of international flair to money talk.
32. Dollar Dollar Bill Y’all
A playful phrase popularized by hip-hop music, it’s a catchy and rhythmic way to refer to dollar bills, emphasizing them as a desirable object.
33. Dosh (UK)
“Dosh” is a common British slang term for money, widely used across the UK. It’s a simple and direct synonym for money in British English.
34. Dough
“Dough,” like “bread,” is a long-standing slang term for money, possibly originating from “bread.” It’s been in use since at least the mid-19th century, signifying money as a basic necessity.
35. Dubs (or Doubles or Double Sawbuck)
“Dubs” refers to twenty-dollar bills. “Two dubs” would then be $40. It’s a specific term for this denomination, commonly used in informal settings.
36. Ducats
Historically, “ducats” were European gold or silver coins, particularly in Venice. As slang, it evokes a sense of old-world wealth and historical currency.
37. Ducketts
An Americanized pronunciation of “ducats,” “ducketts” can refer to poker chips or money in general. It retains a slightly archaic or playful feel.
38. Fetti
Likely a mispronunciation of Spanish “feria” (coins in Mexico), “fetti” might also relate to the image of money “raining” like confetti. It’s a more modern and hip-hop influenced term.
39. Figgas
“Figgas” is a hip-hop term referring to the number of figures in a monetary amount. It’s used when discussing large sums and financial scale.
40. Fins
“Fins” is slang for five-dollar bills, possibly derived from German/Yiddish words for five (“Funf,” “Finnif”). It’s a specific term for this denomination, less common than some other slang.
41. Five Spot
“Five spot” directly refers to a five-dollar bill. It’s a straightforward and easily understood term for this specific amount.
42. Fiver
Similar to “five spot,” “fiver” is another term for a five-dollar bill, or sometimes five pounds in the UK. It’s a casual and common way to refer to this small denomination.
43. Folding Stuff
“Folding stuff” plainly refers to paper money, the kind that folds. It’s a literal and slightly dismissive way to talk about cash, often in the context of spending.
44. Franklins
Back to Benjamin Franklin, “Franklins” is another nickname for hundred-dollar bills, solidifying his iconic status in money slang.
45. Frogskin
“Frogskin” is an older term for dollar bills, potentially linked to “greenback” due to the green color resembling frog skin. It’s a more archaic and less common term today.
46. Funds
“Funds” is a general and slightly formal term for money resources. “No funds” simply means lacking the necessary money.
47. G
Short for “grand,” “G” represents $1,000. It’s a concise and widely used abbreviation for this significant sum, especially in informal contexts.
48. Gelt
Yiddish for “gold,” “gelt” often refers to money, especially Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins). It carries a cultural connection to Jewish traditions and celebrations.
49. Gold
“Gold,” as in the precious metal, is a classic and universal symbol of wealth and money. It’s a straightforward and timeless term.
50. Gouda
Coined by rapper E-40, “gouda” is a more recent slang term for money, adding to the food-related nicknames and popularized through hip-hop culture.
51. Grand
“Grand” is a widely used term for $1,000, originating in the early 1900s, possibly among mobsters seeking discreet terms. It’s a classic and still very common slang term for a significant amount.
52. Grant
“Grant” refers to a $50 bill, featuring President Ulysses S. Grant. It’s a specific term for this denomination, less common than “Franklin” or “Benjamin.”
53. Grease
“Grease” implies money used as a bribe or to facilitate something illicit, as in “greasing someone’s palm.” It suggests underhanded financial transactions.
54. Green
“Green” refers to the color of US currency. “Out of green” simply means out of money, highlighting the visual association of money with its color.
55. Greenbacks
“Greenbacks” specifically refers to US currency printed during the Civil War, with green ink on the back. It’s a historical term that has become a general nickname for dollar bills.
56. Guap
“Guap” (pronounced like “gwop”) is slang for a large amount of money, often used in hip-hop culture. It suggests substantial wealth and financial success.
57. Gwala
Similar to “guap” and “gwop,” “gwala” also means a stack of cash, emphasizing physical bundles of money.
58. Gwop
“Gwop” is an acronym for “George Washington On Paper,” referring to the first US president on the one-dollar bill. It’s a more literal and somewhat humorous origin for a slang term.
59. Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton, despite not being a president, graces the ten-dollar bill. “Hamilton” is thus slang for ten-dollar bills, recognizing his prominent place on US currency.
60. Jackson
Andrew Jackson is featured on the twenty-dollar bill, making “Jackson” slang for this denomination. It’s part of the series of president-related money nicknames.
61. K
“K” stands for “kilo,” meaning thousand. So, 500K is $500,000. It’s a common abbreviation in financial contexts and informal talk about large sums.
62. Large
Like “grand,” “large” also means $1,000. It’s another simple and direct term for this amount, often interchangeable with “grand.”
63. Lettuce
“Lettuce,” in the vein of “cabbage” and “celery,” is another vegetable-based slang term for money. It adds to the quirky collection of food-related money nicknames.
64. Long Green
“Long green” refers to cash, emphasizing both the color and the elongated shape of banknotes. It’s a descriptive and slightly older slang term.
65. Loot
“Loot” suggests money, often with connotations of being acquired illegally or through robbery. It carries a slightly criminal or adventurous tone.
66. Lucci
“Lucci” is a slang term for money, especially in rap music, possibly derived from “lucre.” Its origin is somewhat unclear but it’s become a recognizable term in certain subcultures.
67. Lucre
Often in the phrase “filthy lucre,” “lucre” refers to money, particularly when seen as distasteful or dishonestly gained. It carries a negative moral judgment about money.
68. M
“M” can mean thousand (Roman numeral) or million, but in money slang, it usually means million. $3M is $3,000,000. Context is crucial to distinguish between thousand and million.
69. MM (or MN)
“MM” or “MN” is often used by banks to denote millions of dollars in financial contexts, a more formal abbreviation than “M” in slang.
70. Mil
“Mil” is a common abbreviation for million when discussing dollars. It’s widely used in informal and business contexts.
71. Moola (or Moolah)
“Moola” is an older, widely used slang term for money with uncertain origins, dating back to around 1936. It’s a classic and still recognized slang term.
72. Nickel
“Nickel” refers to the five-cent coin, but as slang, it can mean $5 or $500, especially in gambling or drug contexts. The amount depends heavily on context.
73. Nuggets
“Nuggets,” possibly referencing gold nuggets, is a term for money, suggesting valuable small units. It’s less common but adds to the list of precious-item nicknames.
74. Ones
“Ones” refers to one-dollar bills, the smallest denomination of US paper currency. It’s a simple and direct term for these bills.
75. Paper
“Paper” refers to paper money in general. “Chasing paper” means pursuing money, emphasizing the physical form of banknotes.
76. Pesos
The currency of Mexico, “pesos,” is sometimes used in American slang to refer to dollars, adding a bit of linguistic borrowing.
77. [Number missing in original article]
78. Quid (UK)
“Quid” is a very common UK slang term for a pound sterling. Its origin is uncertain but it’s been used since the late 17th century.
79. Rack
“Rack” refers to $1,000 or more in cash, often implying neatly stacked bills. It’s a term used for substantial amounts of physical cash.
80. Resources
“Resources” is a more formal and sometimes euphemistic term for money, especially when discussing lack of funds. It softens the directness of saying “no money.”
81. Riches
“Riches” is a word for wealth and money, often used when trying to sound like one has a lot of it. It’s a slightly exaggerated or boastful term.
82. Salad
“Salad,” joining the vegetable theme, is another slang term for money, perhaps combining “lettuce,” “cabbage,” and “celery.”
83. Sawbucks
“Sawbucks” refers to ten-dollar bills. The term comes from the “sawhorse” resembling the Roman numeral X on the $10 bill. It’s a more historical and visual slang term.
84. Scratch
“Scratch” has been used to mean money since the early 20th century, with unclear origins, possibly from “starting from scratch.” It’s a common and versatile slang term.
85. Shekels
“Shekels” is a biblical currency, also used in modern Israel. As slang, it evokes a sense of ancient or foreign currency.
86. Simoleon
“Simoleon” is a slang term for “dollar,” associated with old-timey American gangsters, adding a vintage or theatrical flair.
87. Skrilla (or Scrilla or Scrill)
“Skrilla” is a slang term for money or cash, especially in rap music since the 1990s, with unknown origins.
88. Smackers
“Smackers” is an East Coast term for dollars, often used by older generations, suggesting enough cash to “smack” someone.
89. Spondulix
“Spondulix” is a 19th-century term for money with various spellings (“spondoolicks,” etc.). “Spondoolies” is a hipper variant, all sounding rather whimsical and old-fashioned.
90. Stacks
“Stacks,” like “racks,” means $1,000, referring to stacks of bills. It emphasizes the physical bundling of cash.
91. Stash
“Stash” refers to hidden or stored money, suggesting secrecy or savings tucked away.
92. Tamales
“Tamales” was a former slang term for dollars, now largely obsolete, demonstrating how slang evolves and fades.
93. Ten Spot
“Ten spot” directly refers to a ten-dollar bill. It’s a straightforward term for this denomination.
94. Tender
“Tender” is shortened from “legal tender,” referring to official currency. It’s a slightly more formal-sounding slang term.
95. Tenners
“Tenners” is plural for ten-dollar bills. It’s a simple and direct term for multiple ten-dollar bills.
96. Treasure
“Treasure” is a classic term for money, especially evoking images of pirates and hidden wealth. It’s a dramatic and romanticized term.
97. Wad
“Wad” refers to a thick roll of cash, emphasizing a substantial amount of money bundled together.
98. Wampum
“Wampum,” polished shells used by Native Americans as currency, was once slang for money but now more often refers to marijuana, illustrating slang term shifts.
99. Wonga (UK)
“Wonga” is a UK slang term from Romani, meaning “coal,” another older British slang term for money. It’s a culturally specific term.
100. Yaper
“Yaper” usually refers to drug money, carrying a specific connotation of illicit earnings.
101. Yard
“Yard” typically means $100, but can also, surprisingly, mean $1 billion in some contexts. It’s crucial to understand context to discern the intended amount.
Conclusion: The Colorful World of Money Nicknames
This extensive list demonstrates the rich and varied vocabulary we use to talk about money without simply saying “money.” From food metaphors to historical references, these nicknames reflect our cultural attitudes, historical contexts, and playful creativity when dealing with the ever-present topic of finances. Understanding these terms not only enriches our vocabulary but also provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultural significance of money in our society. Whether you’re aiming to spice up your writing, understand pop culture references, or just impress your friends with your financial lexicon, mastering these nicknames for money is a valuable and entertaining pursuit.
