2 bits? What the hell does that mean? Where did it come from? I'm confus-ed I'm seriously!
2007-05-26 11:11:20 · 4 answers · asked by Mackenzie R 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
During the colonial days, people used coins from all over the world. The most commonly used coin was the Spanish milled dollar. When the US adopted an official currency, the Spanish Milled Dollar was chosen, and it later became the model for American silver dollars.The old dollar was a coin that could be broken up into 8 parts (bits) so 2 bits would be 25 cents.
This also explains the pirate term for money "Pieces of eight"
Kind of gives you an indication as to how old the jingle is.
2007-05-26 11:22:03 · answer #1 · answered by Old guy 124 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first known occurrence of the tune is from a 1899 Charles Hale song, "At a Darktown Cakewalk." Other songs from the same period also used the tune. In 1939 Dan Shapiro, Lestor Lee and Milton Berle released "Shave and a Haircut—Shampoo" which featured the tune in the closing bars, and is thought to be the origin of the lyrics. Over time the phrase has permutated through several variations.
2007-05-26 18:20:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two bits is an old phrase meaning 25 cents.
2007-05-26 18:19:53 · answer #3 · answered by jsardi56 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 bits is the same as 25 cents.
2007-05-26 18:46:37 · answer #4 · answered by jimbob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋