Cockney Slang for Money: The Complete Guide
From the racecourse to the pub to classic British sitcoms, money in Britain has always had its own colourful language.
If you have ever been baffled by someone asking for "a monkey" or paying "a pony", this guide is for you.
Cockney slang for money is a set of nicknames for different amounts of cash. A "quid" is £1, a "score" is £20, a "pony" is £25, a "ton" is £100, a "monkey" is £500, and a "grand" is £1,000. Many terms trace back to Victorian London, horse racing and Cockney rhyming slang, and plenty are still used today.
At a glance
- Quid
- £1
- Score
- £20
- Pony
- £25
- Monkey
- £500
Money Slang at a Glance
Here is a quick reference table of the most common British money slang terms and what each one means:
| Slang term | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Quid | £1 | The most common of all; used for any number of pounds |
| Score | £20 | Long-standing slang for twenty |
| Pony | £25 | Popular in betting and everyday speech |
| Ton | £100 | Also used for 100 of anything (e.g. speed) |
| Monkey | £500 | Widely used in gambling circles |
| Grand | £1,000 | Often shortened to a "G" or "K" |
| Bag / Bag of sand | £1,000 | Rhyming slang for "grand" |
Some of these have their own detailed histories, which we explore in the linked guides below.
Where Does Money Slang Come From?
British money slang has several origins woven together:
- Cockney rhyming slang – the East London tradition of replacing a word with a rhyming phrase, then dropping the rhyme. "Bag of sand" for "grand" is a classic example.
- Horse racing and betting – the racecourse gave us "pony" and "monkey", with colourful (and disputed) tales about banknotes and imperial army pay from India.
- Everyday shorthand – "grand" simply means a grand, or large, sum; "ton" borrows the idea of a hundredweight.
The exact roots of many terms are lost to history, which is part of their charm. What matters is that they became a shared language, especially around markets, pubs and betting shops.
The Terms Explained
Quid (£1)
The everyday word for a pound. Its origins are debated, but it has been in use for centuries. Read the full story in why is it called a quid?
Score (£20)
A "score" has meant twenty for a very long time, well beyond money. More in score in money.
Pony (£25)
Widely used in betting. The link between a horse and £25 is uncertain but enduring. See what is a pony in money?
Ton (£100)
A "ton" is a hundred of something, so £100 naturally became a ton. More in ton of money.
Monkey (£500)
One of the best-known terms, popularised by British TV and film. The full tale is in monkey in money.
Grand and bag (£1,000)
A "grand" is £1,000, and "a bag" (short for bag of sand) is its rhyming-slang cousin. Both are still common in everyday speech.
Is Money Slang Still Used Today?
Very much so. While Britain is increasingly cashless, the language of cash lives on. You will still hear "a monkey" at the races, "a grand" when people talk about big purchases, and "quid" in almost every conversation about money. Popular culture — from Only Fools and Horses to modern films — keeps these terms alive for new generations.
Older, pre-decimal terms have faded but not vanished. If you have ever wondered what old money was worth, our guide to how much a shilling is worth today puts historic slang into modern context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common money slang in Britain?
"Quid" for a pound is by far the most widely used, understood across the whole country rather than just London.
Is a monkey £500 or £5,000?
A monkey is £500. It is sometimes confused with larger amounts, but traditionally and in betting it means five hundred pounds.
Why is £1,000 called a grand?
"Grand" simply means a large or grand amount, and it settled on £1,000 as a round, significant sum. Its rhyming-slang partner is "a bag" (bag of sand).
Are these terms only used in London?
Many started as Cockney or London slang, but words like quid, ton, grand and monkey are now understood across the UK and beyond.
This article is a light-hearted, general guide to money slang and is not financial advice. Meanings can vary by region and context, so use these terms with a little care depending on who you are talking to.
