What is the origin of the phrase "cold hard cash"?

Answer 1

The term comes from the fact that coins were the original form of money.

Of course, the recent discovery of bribe money in a Congressman's freezer gave the term an updated meaning.
http://sistertoldjah.com/archives/2006/05/22/new-meaning-to-the-term-cold-hard-cash/

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Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 2

At first it meant gold or silver coins.No paper money. In modern times it has morphed to mean cash in any form,but no checks.

Answer 3

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060917093206AAFmxD3

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