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WTF Friday: We Need New Names For Our Coins!

November 12, 2010 By Jeff 60 Comments

During a recent trip to Canada, I was impressed by the jaunty nicknames they have for their money up there.  The loonie, the toonie, the tim’orton…  We have nothing of the sort.  I suppose the word “dime” is a nickname, but how lame is that?  Dime?  That’s not jaunty at all.  How embarrassing.

No, I think we can do better.  And to get the ball rolling, I will offer five new nickname suggestions for each of the most popular coins in America.  All of them, I believe, would be an improvement over the crushingly dull excuses for loose change identifiers we currently use.  I mean, seriously.

Please choose your favorites (or list your own in the comments), and start injecting them into everyday conversations.  Together, we can escape the deep humiliation of “dime,” and “nickel.”  Oh my god… will somebody please hold me?

Penny

poop dot
darky
american cousin
slappahick
booth bullet

Nickel

bulky
riffle
hoodat
purse biscuit
twentieth-dollar piece

Dime

polio penny
watch battery
screwdriver
slappajap
Levi’s rivet

Quarter

georgie
half-poon
whore’s dollar
slappabrit
birch incisor

Please note:  I don’t usually update the site on Fridays, for a variety of reasons.  But starting today I will attempt to post something out of the ordinary on that day, under the heading WTF Friday.

This might include Mockable-style goofiness (like the one above), an email interview with a real person, a podcast, a guest post, or something I haven’t even considered yet.  So, it’ll be the regular stuff Monday through Thursday (“I was in Target the other day…”), and something unusual on Friday.  That’s the plan, anyway…  We’ll see how it goes.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a great weekend.  Mine will blow a whole petting zoo, but that doesn’t have anything to do with yours.

I’ll see you guys on Monday.

Now playing in the bunker

Treat yourself today at Amazon!

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Filed Under: WTF Friday

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. emily says

    November 12, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    first-i’m a tool

    Reply
  2. mudpup says

    November 12, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    FIRST???

    Reply
  3. dorothy says

    November 12, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    Hee, Hee, Hee!!!

    Reply
    • Son of Sam says

      November 12, 2010 at 3:05 pm

      good to see you dorothy!!

      Reply
    • TILLY says

      November 12, 2010 at 4:44 pm

      hey dorothy!!! haven’t been on the site for a while and i was wondering where you were. Hope all is well.

      Reply
  4. mudpup says

    November 12, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    DANG!

    Reply
  5. Sidney says

    November 12, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    Wow…top ten!

    Reply
  6. Dave's not here, man says

    November 12, 2010 at 2:13 pm

    Hmm, never thought of myself as trendy, but…

    Penny:
    Useless

    Nickel:
    Buffalo

    Dime:
    Darell

    Quarter:
    Booty

    I think at least one of our coins has to be called booty. It’s just too much fun to say booty.

    Reply
    • Chuck in Belpre says

      November 12, 2010 at 7:35 pm

      Hope I’m not the only one that gets the Darell reference. Good one.

      Reply
      • clintcurtis says

        November 12, 2010 at 9:55 pm

        I had to think about it for a sec, going down a list of Darells..then I got it. Too funny!

        Reply
    • Alice in WV says

      November 13, 2010 at 9:15 pm

      ok, I’ll admit it… I don’t get the Darell reference. and I’m too tired too research it, so could someone just tell me? thx

      Reply
      • Chuck in Belpre says

        November 14, 2010 at 12:15 am

        Dimebag Darrell

        Reply
  7. madz1962 says

    November 12, 2010 at 2:23 pm

    Penny: Coppah
    Nickel: Kerchunker
    Dime: Dimple
    Quarter: Socket

    Got 2 dimples and a kerchunker for a socket?

    Reply
  8. bikerchick says

    November 12, 2010 at 2:49 pm

    Penny: a brown eye
    Nickle: a silver sliver
    Dime: a Tiny Tim
    Quarter: a ghetto duckett

    Reply
    • Valentin says

      November 12, 2010 at 5:42 pm

      Lol, you said brown eye.

      Reply
  9. metten0 says

    November 12, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    mmmm…purse biscuit…

    Reply
  10. JCIII says

    November 12, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    Good Afternoon Surf Reporters…….

    Penny = Fountain Finder

    Reply
  11. Son of Sam says

    November 12, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    I’m taking my little fishing boat to the Allegheny River this weekend near Kennerdale Pa. Walleye here I come.
    Eat like a king drink like Otis Campbell smoke like Marley.
    Y’all have a great weekend.

    Reply
    • TILLY says

      November 12, 2010 at 4:45 pm

      so very jealous!!

      Reply
  12. zoe says

    November 12, 2010 at 3:28 pm

    I don’t know what made me check for a rogue Friday update but I’m so glad I did. WTF Friday is an excellent idea. I won’t even try to come up with coin nicknames because the originals are unbeatable.

    Reply
  13. zoe says

    November 12, 2010 at 3:31 pm

    Well, ok.

    Penny: Pocket booger or Parking lot snot

    That’s it.

    Reply
  14. Chuck in Belpre says

    November 12, 2010 at 4:37 pm

    I got nothin’.
    I haz teh dumb.

    Reply
  15. Taiwan On says

    November 12, 2010 at 4:38 pm

    I miss the Mock.

    Right now I have a good hankerin’ to mock the Ladies Ass Logo. You know, sprawiling the word “Juicy” across the back of a pair of women’s jeans. Even though, in a lot of cases, there is obviously nothing juicy going on in there.

    My wife now has a pair of Disney pajama bottoms with the name “Mickey” across the ass. Obviously, this trend has jumped the shark.

    Penny = Abe
    Nickel = Tommie
    Dime = Johnnie
    Quarter = Georgie

    Reply
    • madz1962 says

      November 12, 2010 at 5:00 pm

      Abe, Tommie, Johnnie and Georgie – Brilliant!

      Reply
      • madz1962 says

        November 12, 2010 at 5:03 pm

        But I think “Frankie” would get a little pissed he wasn’t mentioned.

        Reply
    • Kim says

      November 12, 2010 at 9:30 pm

      This could catch on!

      Reply
  16. t-storm says

    November 12, 2010 at 4:38 pm

    it does if you work at that petting zoo.

    Reply
  17. TILLY says

    November 12, 2010 at 4:47 pm

    I am on my way to Canada this week. I will have to check out the coin situation up there.

    have a great weekend all!!!

    Reply
  18. PIN146 says

    November 12, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    If it makes you feel better, technically the term “penny” is a nickname, the US has only ever had a One Cent Piece. Penny is a carryover from British money.

    Reply
  19. hardoxdan says

    November 12, 2010 at 6:35 pm

    I like Taiwan’s Penny = Abe
    Nickel = Vee. (Roman numeral)
    Dime = a Polio, remember the old March of Dimes?
    Quarter = 2 Bits, of course.

    Was in Hagerstown Wednesday and found some really crazy club. Something Cantina. They had Mexican food but played country music up until about 11:00, all matter of old and young doing line dances and shit, lots of cowboy boots mixed in with bikers. Good mix of hotties to fatties.

    Later, they switched to mix of rock and pop at blaring level. Cheap drinks and lots of folks pounding beers and shots, what a hoot. Got really drunk. Walked to hotel and died.

    Reply
  20. johnthebasket says

    November 12, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    Reporters…

    Just scroll down a little bit and play the video; learn about Movember; very entertaining and worthwhile video and campaign.

    best wishes…

    jtb

    http://www.asylum.com/2010/11/11/november-18th-declared-have-sex-with-a-guy-with-a-mustache-day/

    Reply
    • WB in OH says

      November 12, 2010 at 8:16 pm

      Shit. I just shaved.

      Reply
  21. johnthebasket says

    November 12, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    I did grow my mustache and beard for Movember, but my facial hair grows a little slowly, so I had to get a 40 year head start.

    jtb

    Reply
    • Lori in Cbus says

      November 12, 2010 at 8:05 pm

      I’m in.. but then i always been sweet on jtb hahaha

      Reply
  22. t-storm says

    November 12, 2010 at 8:17 pm

    Shit, I just shit.

    Reply
  23. Misselle says

    November 12, 2010 at 8:18 pm

    Hahahaaaaa “polio penny” lmao. Can’t top it. (That and the 40 I am drinking just doesn’t help!)

    Reply
  24. t-storm says

    November 12, 2010 at 8:20 pm

    I’m about 40 minutes from drinky time.
    I really liked whore’s dollar.
    I really need to due laundry but I couldn’t find enough whore’s dollars.

    Reply
    • Misselle says

      November 12, 2010 at 8:21 pm

      Nice example of use in a sentence!

      Reply
      • t-storm says

        November 12, 2010 at 8:22 pm

        Thanks, and I have to say you mentioning a 40 makes me very thirsty.

        Reply
  25. chill says

    November 12, 2010 at 8:32 pm

    Friday updates rule. I am in favor if them.

    Two things popped into my head immediately, regarding the e-tomb: 1) what if the end user doesn’t want a cross logo? and b) “Status: Dead”.

    Actually the dime is a real official unit of US currency, not a nickname. Just like the dollar and the eagle. Nevertheless, one could call it a “Frankie”. I swear I typed that *before* reading the comments! I like “whore’s dollar”.
    .

    Reply
  26. t-storm says

    November 12, 2010 at 8:36 pm

    Penny – Finger Stinker
    Dime – Ty Cobb
    Nickel – Jew Dime
    Quarter – Whore’s Dollar

    Reply
  27. hot fuzz says

    November 12, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    I’m all choked up. Jeff said Canada. I am erect with patriotic pride.

    Reply
  28. Laserboy says

    November 12, 2010 at 11:28 pm

    West VA Quarter – two dimes and a nickle

    Nickle – Knuckle
    25c – Case Quarta
    Quarter – Toll Token

    Reply
  29. Brittney says

    November 12, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    I finally updated my blog. Goodnight…had some drinks…

    Reply
  30. Greg says

    November 12, 2010 at 11:32 pm

    That’s Cancun Cantina, and they have quite a website.

    http://cancuncantina.com

    Reply
  31. johnthebasket says

    November 13, 2010 at 3:12 am

    With respect to the QOD, one reason I like the Dixie Chicks’ singing is that they frequently sound this good. One reason I love the Dixie Chicks is that they frequently are this passionate. If you haven’t rented “Shut Up and Sing”, don’t bother. Just go buy it. Using Jeff’s Amazon link.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHH8bfPhusM

    best wishes…

    jtb

    Reply
  32. Chuck in Belpre says

    November 13, 2010 at 11:23 am

    I once played, for a short time, in a country band. I hated every ‘just a swingin’ minute of it. I’ve never liked country music but I needed the money. Give me blues, give me jazz…hell, give me Hall and Oates over country any day. Wait…did I just say Hall and Oates?

    I must lay down for a while and contemplate my life’s direction.

    Reply
  33. T. Farty McAppleass says

    November 13, 2010 at 2:54 pm

    I think we should refer to one of our coins as “japs”, which coin doesn’t really matter.

    When will it be socially acceptable to eat horses?

    The President of the United States hasn’t returned any of my phone calls.

    Reply
  34. Al says

    November 14, 2010 at 10:51 am

    penny = “stinkin’ lincoln”

    Reply
  35. icecycle66 says

    November 14, 2010 at 11:45 am

    Icall quarters “General”. I have three Generals and a Commie (the dime) in my pcket right now.

    Reply
  36. johnthebasket says

    November 14, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    Chuck…

    I would not want to put myself in a position of having to argue that country music is as interesting or delightful as jazz, blues or rock. I think I’d feel pretty comfortable arguing that country music beats the shit out of Hall & Oates. Hell, I’d only need one or two examples.

    Flatt & Scruggs can lay down some mean pickin’…

    Hall & Oates just need to lay down

    Johnny Cash can sound like an Old Testament prophet

    Hall & Oates are still making a profit, but are not making much music

    .
    I don’t have a particular disagreement with what you said, Chuck. Perhaps you went a bridge or a chorus too far. Perhaps…

    best as always…

    jtb

    Reply
    • Chuck in Belpre says

      November 14, 2010 at 3:08 pm

      I wasn’t trying to disparage anyone’s taste in music. There is something for everyone out there. If you like dixie chicks then good on ya. Personally I have always been a blue-rocker with occasional turns off the road into some serious jazz (Dewey Redman, Ornette Coleman, Keith Jarrett, etc.).

      When I was an active musician (though not a very good one…ever…so don’t think I am bragging) I took a gig with a country band and hated every minute until I was replaced (see parentheses above).

      How many parentheses are we allowed per post?

      Oh and I agree about Hall and Oates. 😉

      Reply
      • chill says

        May 24, 2012 at 9:13 pm

        Mmmm, Ornette Coleman – good stuff. Keith Jarrett is a fucking prima donna, but man, can he play. I have paid money to see Pharoah Sanders, and I would do so again. Same for Abdullah Ibrahim, a.k.a. Dollar Brand. For serious jazz, don’t forget your Ms: Monk, Mingus, Miles.
        .

        Reply
  37. johnthebasket says

    November 14, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    Just one example, live from Dublin, Ireland…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ZMj5RksbE

    jtb

    Reply
  38. johnthebasket says

    November 14, 2010 at 3:39 pm

    I think it’s 22, but the people who run the Internet are always upgrading http and html, so it might be up to 24 by now.

    I grew up with the three chords that are Louie, Louie, first recorded by the Wailers with Rockin’ Robin Roberts on vocals. (Yeah, technically 2 1/2 chords). The Wailers all lived within a few miles of my house and I still think they’re just about the coolest people in the galaxy. And most of them are still playing.

    That background radiation of R&B that permeates the “Northwest Sound” of rock in the Wailers, the Kingsmen, the Sonics, the Frantics, and a thousand other groups, including Nirvana, is the faint echo of a terrific group named the Dave Lewis Trio (sometimes the Dave Lewis Combo) which influenced all Northwest music to come from the lost decade of the 1950’s. Had Dave Lewis been white, he might have had the early hits, but he wouldn’t have lived in Seattle’s Central District, a hotbed of West Coast R&B. So it goes.

    Sometimes I hear that sound in Country music. Not Garth Brooks (the anti-Hank), but sometimes in consumate musicians like the Chicks. Obviously, I hear the sound most often in rock and blues and sometimes jazz. That’s my music, whatever radio station plays it.

    Just for the record, I’m not a Nirvana fan. I’m not sure Kurt was either, actually.

    No disagreements about musical taste, by definition. Just remembering on a wet, dark Northwest Sunday afternoon.

    jtb

    Reply
    • johnthebasket says

      November 14, 2010 at 3:42 pm

      First recorded in the Northwest by the Wailers. Obviously, the writer of the song, Richard Berry, recorded it FIRST. In L.A., I believe.

      jtb

      Reply
  39. Greg says

    November 14, 2010 at 9:33 pm

    The Stillers are eatin’ it! 0-10. New England leads. I’m crappin’.

    Reply
  40. Uncle Buzz in Wheeling says

    November 15, 2010 at 1:29 am

    Well, the Stillers have once again embarrassed themselves in front of their own fans and on national television, no less. Looks like they didn’t watch any film of last week when N.E. took a drubbing at the hands of Colt McCoy, a *rookie*. Also, the defense apparently took the night off.

    The main reason they lost was because of those absurd, ridiculous “retro” unis. Whose terrible idea was that? Yellow helmets – are you kidding me? Retro unis have a terrible mojo about them, and you just saw the result.

    No quote tonight, I’m too disgusted. Grrr

    Reply
  41. clintcurtis says

    November 15, 2010 at 2:55 am

    I was in a “gentleman’s club” in Lethbridge, Alberta Canada about 10 years ago with my brother. I was wondering how they would handle the Loony in the g-string, as opposed to a paper dollar bill. Half an hour, and three Molson’s into the show, about ten guys from off of an oil rig come in. They were already drunk, and after odering drinks, they proceeded to pelt the dancers with Loonies, (the heavy, $1 Canadian coin). Hilarity ensued as the dancers stopped, started yelling at the oil workers, the DJ stopped playing music, then everyone in the place just started laughing. Great times!

    Reply
  42. Ratchet says

    November 17, 2010 at 1:05 pm

    Jaunty coin nicknames…

    penny
    pot

    nickel
    Bee
    “…Now, to take the ferry cost a nickel, and in those days, nickels had pictures of bumblebees on ’em. Give me five bees for a quarter, you’d say…”-Grandpa Simpson

    dime
    beep

    quarter
    debbie

    Reply

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