Does this derive from the American Dollar Bill or is this from earlier times? Someone asked me this the other day and can't find anything on-line to answer the question.
2007-12-29 07:51:19 · 10 answers · asked by kdee 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It's shortened from "Bill of Exchange," a written order by the drawer to the drawee to pay a certain sum on a given date to the drawer or to a third person named in the bill known as the payee. The Oxford English Dictionary has an early reference to "billes of exchange" from 1579.
The origin is likely Latin through French into English from the Latin bulla in its medieval usage as "a seal" which became a "document furnished with a seal" and then any official or formal document. It came into English from the French bille to the Middle English bille to today's ModE bill.
2007-12-29 08:15:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it comes from the french term Billet meaning ticket.
This was a form of accounting in that you'd be given a ticket or receipt for your account.
Bad manners and bad translation reduced it to bill.
Cheque again is from the french and has been transfered by bad manners and translation to check.
However A bill in USA is a promisary note of payment.
In UK it is an outstanding account.
In UK a Cheque is a promisary note of payment
In Usa a Check is an outstanding account..
Lets not get into napkins and table manners please :-)
Because when I sit down for a meal I use a serviette and I don't wipe my face with a napkin :-)
However many in high society in the UK do... :-)
2007-12-29 08:22:20 · answer #2 · answered by Philip P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It looks like people are not understanding your question and I have to admit at first it didn't make any sense to me either. But I have no idea where the term pay your bill came from, interesting enough though to note that "Can I get my check" has also been popular over the last few decades. Again referencing money(type) to a unpaid "bill" Maybe in a few years will be asking waitresses and the like for our credit. ;)
2007-12-29 07:57:58 · answer #3 · answered by Ciel 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The term Red Neck as relating to Americans living in rural areas comes from the fact that if you work outside all year round in all weathers the back of your neck eventually becomes a dark reddish brown colour with a 'leathery' look to the skin - you literally develop a 'red-neck'.
2016-05-27 19:31:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All I can say to you, is try wikipedia.com. Otherwise, try Yahoo search and ask for CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY. When you go into that website, then go into the library reference section. You fill in your private information, with your e-mail address, and the library will get back to you, in approximately 5 business days or less. I trust that you will get the answer that you seek.
What shall we then say to these things? If GOD be for us, WHO can be against us? - Romans 8:31. The Lord daily loadeth us with BENEFITS, even the GOD of our salvation. Selah - Psalm 68:19.
May you and your loved ones have a prosperous,
healthy, God-endowed Happy New Year.
P E A C E!
2007-12-29 08:01:53 · answer #5 · answered by In God We Trust 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Amazing how the English language divides USA and UK!
To "pay your bill" is in common usage over here in UK and obviously not in USA. A "bill" is what you in USA would refer to as the "check" received at the end of meal in a restaurant for example.
2007-12-29 08:03:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
"bill" is simply a synonym of "invoice" in this context
pay your bill has nothing to do with dollar bill - its not even colloquial - it is a straightforward phrase meaning
"settle your account".
2007-12-29 08:00:11 · answer #7 · answered by Say_What? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Comes through the letter box from BT or british gas
2007-12-29 07:54:58 · answer #8 · answered by BunsOfSteel 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Usually from your local Electricity Board.....
2007-12-29 07:54:33 · answer #9 · answered by captbullshot 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
??
2007-12-29 07:54:04 · answer #10 · answered by JAMES H 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋