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Bit

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Money. The word is used in the West Indies for a half pistareen (fivepence). In Jamaica, a bit is worth sixpence, English; in America, 12 1/2 cents; in Ireland, tenpence.

The word is still thievesʹ slang for money generally, and coiners are called bit-makers.

⁂ In English we use the word for a coin which is a fraction of a unit. Thus, a shilling being a unit, we have a six-penny bit and threepenny bit (or not in bits but in divers pieces). So, taking a sovereign for a unit, we had seven-shilling bits, etc.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Bishop in Partibus
Bishop of Hippo
Bishop’s Apron
Bishop’s Bible (The)
Bishop’s Mitre
Bissextile
Bisson
Bistonians
Bit
Bit (of a horse)
Bit
Bite
Bite
Bitelas
Bites and Bams
Biting Remark (A)
Bitt
Bitten
Bitter End (The)
Bitter as Gall
Bittock