100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Do you know what the terms Suzie B., Hamilton, sawbuck, or C-note refer to in colloquial English? When it comes to U.S. dollars, there are numerous nicknames that might seem nonsensical at first glance. This article provides a rundown of the most common slang for dollar bills and coins, along with the fascinating stories behind their origins.
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Slang Terms for U.S. Money
💰 “Buck”
One of the most ubiquitous slang terms is “buck.” Its roots trace back to the word “buckskin,” referring to deer hides used as currency on the frontier. The first documented use of the term dates back to 1748. Pennsylvania settler Johann Conrad Weiser, who frequently interacted with colonists and Native Americans, noted in his diary that someone had been robbed of goods worth 300 “bucks” (valued at $300).
💰 “Greenback”
During the American Civil War, emergency paper currency was issued between 1861 and 1862, featuring a distinctive green print on the reverse side. These banknotes quickly became known as “greenbacks.” This emergency currency was unique because it was not backed by gold or silver reserves, but rather by the credit of the federal government.
💰 Other Slang Terms
“Beans” refers to the legume as a staple food during times of poverty, while “dough” serves as a metaphor for bread—the staff of life.
Through hip-hop culture and urban slang, the term “duckets” entered the English lexicon, a nod to historical ducats, a currency once used primarily in Europe. From the world of gambling came the term “bones,” which originally described dice made from animal bones.
An older, quirky term, “simoleons,” likely originated from a portmanteau of “sim” and “Napoleon.” “Sim” was likely shorthand for a “simpleton” or a coin of little value, while “Napoleon” referred to the historic French coin.
The nickname “smackers” likely stems from “smack,” referring to a loud gesture or the distinctive sound of a stack of banknotes slapping against a table. The now-obsolete term “spondulix” is believed to come from Greek, though its exact etymology remains debated.
For denominations in the thousands, “grand” or simply “G” is standard. For example, ten thousand dollars is referred to as “10 Grand” or “10 G” (equivalent to $10,000).
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Nicknames for Dollar Coins
Nicknames for cent and dollar coins usually derive from their face value, the imagery on them, or their material composition.
🪙 One-Cent Coin (1¢)
The smallest denomination coin is commonly called a “cent” or, more frequently, a “penny,” a term borrowed from the British penny.
Older one-cent coins issued from 1909 to 1958 featured the portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and two wheat stalks on the reverse, earning them the enduring nickname “wheat penny.”
🪙 Five-Cent Coin (5¢)
Composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, this coin is universally known as a “nickel.” The United States Mint began producing these base-metal coins in 1866.
🪙 Ten-Cent Coin (10¢)
This coin is simply called a “dime,” a term derived from the Old French word “disme,” meaning “tenth.”
🪙 Twenty-Five-Cent Coin (25¢)
The most common nickname, “quarter,” comes directly from its face value of 25 cents—a quarter of a dollar. Quarters became the standard currency for vending machines, parking meters, and laundromats.
The archaic term “two bits” dates back to the Spanish dollar (pieces of eight) used in the early 19th century. One “bit” represented 12.5 cents, so “two bits” equaled 25 cents.
🪙 Fifty-Cent Coin (50¢)
The coin is often shortened to “half,” referring to its half-dollar status.
Since the coin’s obverse features President John F. Kennedy, it is also widely known as a “Kennedy.” Introduced in 1964, shortly after his assassination, it remains a popular keepsake and collector’s item.
🪙 One-Dollar Coin ($1)
This is occasionally called a “gold dollar” due to the gold-colored alloy used in modern versions.
From 1971 to 1978, the dollar coin featured President Dwight D. Eisenhower, earning it the nickname “Ike.”
The nickname “SBA” or “Suzie B.” refers to the Susan B. Anthony dollar, issued from 1979 to 1981 and again briefly in 1999. This coin was notoriously unpopular because its size and color made it easily confusable with a quarter.
In 2000, the Sacagawea dollar was introduced, often nicknamed “Sac” after the Shoshone guide depicted on the obverse.
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Nicknames for Dollar Bills
Slang for paper currency often stems from the face value, the ink color, or the historical figure portrayed.
💵 One-Dollar Bill ($1)
Commonly called a “single” or “buck,” it is also referred to as a “George” after George Washington, whose portrait graces the front.
💵 Two-Dollar Bill ($2)
Although rarely seen in daily circulation, the two-dollar bill is nicknamed “deuce.” It is also called a “Tom” or “Jefferson” after Thomas Jefferson.
💵 Five-Dollar Bill ($5)
The five-dollar bill, known as a “fin,” “fiver,” or “five-spot,” is also affectionately nicknamed “Abe” after Abraham Lincoln.
💵 Ten-Dollar Bill ($10)
Often called a “ten-spot,” the term “sawbuck” refers to the Roman numeral X, which resembles the shape of a sawhorse. Another nickname, “Hamilton,” honors Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Treasury Secretary.
💵 Twenty-Dollar Bill ($20)
Known as a “double sawbuck” (indicating the Roman numeral XX), the twenty-dollar bill is most commonly nicknamed “Jackson” after Andrew Jackson.
💵 Fifty-Dollar Bill ($50)
This bill is simply called a “fifty” or a “Grant,” referring to Ulysses S. Grant.
💵 One-Hundred-Dollar Bill ($100)
Known as a “Benjamin,” “Benjie,” or “Frank,” after Benjamin Franklin. The classic terms “C-Note” and “C” reference the Roman numeral for 100.
💬 Do you know any other slang terms for U.S. coins or banknotes? Feel free to share them in the discussion.
Discussion (1)
Off the too of my head:
1. A Dollar bill:
A Bone
A White Chip.
A Duck(et) or a
Malard
2. The $2 bill:
A Jeffer or just
Jeff
3 $50. Bill: 1/2 a
Yard
& ,$100. A YARD.