Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris How did currencies get their names? | MONEY WORDS
Jul 30, 2025
Dive into the origins of currency and discover where the dollar sign came from. Unravel the meaning of the British pound and learn about the goddess after whom all money is named. Explore the playful evolution of slang terms for money, and see how Yiddish has influenced American commerce language. Delight in the intertwining histories of currency symbols and their cultural significance, shedding light on how money reflects societal values and historical figures.
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Currencies Named for Weights
- Many currencies worldwide derive their names from weights such as peso, shekel, and ruble.
- The Ukrainian grivna means 'neck,' relating to coins worn on strings around the neck.
Greek Coinage and 'Dram' Link
- Ancient Greek coins like drachmas and obols were standardized silver currencies derived from terms meaning a handful or metal rods.
- The word "dram" for whiskey shares origin with drachma, highlighting historical continuity.
East Asian Coin Names Mean 'Coin'
- The Japanese yen, Korean won, and Chinese yuan all mean 'round coin,' showing a shared conceptual currency origin.
- The English word 'yen' is a Portuguese modification of the original Japanese term due to pronunciation constraints.
