2007-05-03 06:08:09 · 7 answers · asked by Sharon H 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Monkey = five hundred pounds (£500). Probably London slang from the early 1800's. Origin unknown. Like the 'pony' meaning £25, it is suggested by some that the association derives from Indian rupee banknotes featuring the animal.
2007-05-03 06:18:03 · answer #1 · answered by Polo 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
monkey = five hundred pounds (£500). Probably London slang from the early 1800's. Origin unknown. Like the 'pony' meaning £25, it is suggested by some that the association derives from Indian rupee banknotes featuring the animal.
2007-05-03 06:20:10 · answer #2 · answered by Curiosity 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
London slang words for money such as "monkey" (£500) and "pony" (£25) are believed to have come from the Indian rupee banknote, which features pictures of such animals.
2007-05-03 06:21:21 · answer #3 · answered by JOHN P 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It comes from Cockney Rhyming Slang.
Market holders in London sometimes used to use Slang so that they could have a "private" conversation in busy areas, sort of like speaking a foreign language in another country, not many people would understand your native language.
2007-05-03 06:18:19 · answer #4 · answered by Scott Bull 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cause that's how much a monkey used to cost?
2007-05-03 06:15:40 · answer #5 · answered by prodigy2725 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probably for the same reason that 800 pounds is called a gorilla.
2007-05-03 06:15:29 · answer #6 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
why do we call 1000 a grand?
2007-05-03 07:00:55 · answer #7 · answered by cute-goddess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋