Just saw a poster and it got me thinking.
2006-10-25 04:52:26 · 4 answers · asked by Des does it for the ladies 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
My research goes with the "quid pro quo" explanation, which dates back to the 1600's.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest known published usage was in1688 by Shadwell: "Let me equip thee with a quid".
The fact that the Bank of England didn't issue its first banknotes until 1694 tends to discount the Quidhampton Paper Mill explanation.
2006-10-25 09:07:48 · answer #1 · answered by Stephen L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could possibly come from the latin "Quid Pro Quo", meaning "this for that", as in an exchange of money for goods or services. Not sure for definite though, sorry.
2006-10-25 12:06:38 · answer #2 · answered by theredalbino 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Possibly from Quidhampton Paper Mill, where banknote paper used to be made. There are many other theories, however.
2006-10-25 12:08:32 · answer #3 · answered by JJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
was french dockers in liverpool first used quid.
as in lequid meaning beer money.then migrated to manchester cotton mills about 1910
2006-10-25 12:03:32 · answer #4 · answered by done it 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋