Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 22:58:36 -0600

From: Frank Mark R mrf546t[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]NIC.SMSU.EDU

Subject: Re: buck and a half



On Thu, 23 Feb 1995, Larry Horn wrote

There's no restriction here to "a buck ___", and of course the

contexts aren't metaphorical in the same sense as weight, batting average,

time, or distance to the pin. Rather, there seems to be the tendency to

pretend

you're talking peanuts as you toss those sums around. (I suspect a nickel bag

can also bring or cost $500 in the right context.)



Larry



QUIT





I think the idea of talking peanuts also covers examples I've heard

concerning prison sentences: a five year term called a nickel, a ten year

term called a dime. is there a history in English of the dimunuation of

amount/time?



--Mark Frank