Money Talks, But Sometimes It Talks Funny

by Dictionary Scoop

   Some don’t like to talk money, but still, there is no shortage of money-related sayings, phrases, and idioms.

   Here are the origins and meanings of ten fun expressions about money, 

1–Burning a hole in your pocket

   We could divide most people into two groups: On one side, those who know how to save, look for discounts, keep track of their finances correctly, and carefully plan every expense. On the other, the “wild ones,” who don’t know what they’ve spent their money on or have a tendency to spend impulsively.

   If you feel that money just disappears fast as soon as you get it, you may belong to the second group. In that case, there’s a phrase that fits well in that context. When someone says that money “burns a hole in their pocket,” they simply mean they can’t wait to spend it. And let’s be honest; there’s nothing like bringing home that shirt you fell in love with at the store, right?

2–Golden handshake

   For some people, talking about money without beating around the bush can be quite shocking, especially when large sums are involved. That’s why language provides us with many metaphors and aphorisms, and one of them is the famous “golden handshake.”

   If you have been lucky enough to be part of one, you know what we’re talking about. This expression emerged in the mid-20th century and became increasingly famous with the advancement of big business. In the corporate world, a golden handshake describes an agreement (the “handshake” part) between members of a company, through which one receives a large amount of money (the “golden” part). It’s often used to refer to big severance pay or retirement compensation.

3–Tighten your belt

   While it’s true that many of us long for a slim waistline, when it comes to money, “tightening the belt” is not necessarily a good thing. In fact, this expression is used for talking about tough financial times, those moments when you need to cut back on expenses and make some adjustments.

   It’s believed that the idiom became popular in the US during the harsh 1930s due to the difficulties of the Great Depression.

4–Cutting corners

   While shortcuts can be helpful at times, wise people say that taking the longer path teaches us important lessons and leads to better outcomes.

   The expression “cutting corners” emerged in the 19th century to express precisely that: Creating a straight path through corners to make the route shorter and faster. Over time, the phrase has expanded its use to more metaphorical forms and usually contains a negative undertone. You know, taking shortcuts can sometimes end up taking more time and effort.

   In the world of finance, it’s common to hear that a company decided to cut corners by making less effort or using cheaper materials with the intention of making quick money.

5–Nest egg

   Did you know that there was a practice in which a fertilized egg was placed in a hen’s nest to encourage it to lay more eggs? But what does this have to do with money?

   The expression “nest egg” comes from that practice and refers to a small or moderate amount of money saved for future use. As old as the technique itself, the expression was already in use in the 17th century.

   Unlike other phrases on this list that belong to the world of big corporations, this one is often related to personal or household finances.

6–Gravy train

   Some people say that only hard-earned money is worthwhile. But here’s an expression that indicates precisely the opposite.

   When you obtain money easily, without much effort, it’s said that you’re on the “gravy train.” This phrase originated in the United States in the early 20th century, specifically between the 1910s and 1920s, as popular slang among railroad workers. In this context, it was used to describe a run on which there was good pay and little work.

   Over time, the idiom spread to other jobs and activities, and is now heard in everyday conversation.

7–Go Dutch

   Nothing like a good plan with friends! Whether it’s a trip, a shopping spree, or dinner in a nice restaurant. And when the bill comes, many prefer to split it, so everyone chips in.

   When it’s time to split the bill at the end of the dinner, we say we’re “going Dutch.” It simply means that everyone pays for their part. The expression comes from the idea that Dutch people are often careful with money.

8–Break the bank

   Have you ever had to “break the bank”? We’re not talking about committing a crime, but the common expression that refers to spending a large amount of money, often difficult to afford.

   When we go overboard and what we have to pay is a bit more than we can afford, we say we’ve “broken the bank.” Scholars believe that the idiom emerged between the 17th and 18th centuries but really took hold in the mid-19th century. It was used in the gambling world when someone won so much money that the casino (the house or the bank) couldn’t pay out.

9–Saving for a rainy day

   Do you like rain, or do you prefer sunny days? Beyond our personal tastes, rainy days have always been viewed as “gloomy days,” commonly associated with sadness or hardship.

  When someone says they prefer to “save for a rainy day,” they’re talking about being careful with money, saving up for tough times when they’ll really need those dollars.

   Some theories suggest the phrase dates back to 16th-century agricultural societies in Europe. While a little rain was good for the fields, excessive rainfall could ruin the crops, leaving many people without enough food. In those years, similar sayings and proverbs related to the weather were present, and by the 18th century, “saving for a rainy day” was already seen in spoken and written English.

10–Fork over

   Some expenses are fun, but others aren’t so much. When we have to pay for something we’d rather not, we can say we have to “fork over” the cash. Used in informal contexts, to “fork over” simply means to give or hand over money, especially when it’s reluctantly.

   Initially, it was used to describe handing over all kinds of things, but over time, the meaning associated with money stuck. It’s believed that this idiom arose in the 19th century, when “to fork” was used as slang to describe pocket-picking with two or three fingers, resembling the prongs of a fork.