a thoughtful web.
Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking.   Login or Take a Tour!
comment by StJohn
StJohn  ·  4642 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: The 1811 Dictionary in the Vulgar Tongue
KING'S PICTURES. Coin, money.

We still use this one! We don't say "king's pictures", but Americans sometimes call money by who's depicted on it (a Jackson is a $20 bill, a Franklin is a $100). To my knowledge no-one can name who's on Australian money - not even Australians. But ye gods, there are so many of these that are brilliant for pure giggle value:

TO MILK THE PIGEON. To endeavour at impossibilities. DILBERRY MAKER. The fundament.