mad money

American  

noun

Informal.

1. a small sum of money carried or kept in reserve for minor expenses, emergencies, or impulse purchases.

2. a small sum of money carried by a woman on a date to enable her to reach home alone in case she and her escort quarrel and separate.

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Etymology

Origin of mad money

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Nvidia is a value stock according to Jim Cramer, and while some might dismiss the views of the “Mad Money” host, the evidence is mounting.

From Barron's

What’s more, it doesn’t hurt to keep “mad money” invested in case of emergencies.

From MarketWatch

It’s fine to do a little bit of speculative trading for fun in a “mad money” account.

From The Wall Street Journal

Then he rubbed his fingers together, meaning planting stuff cost mad money.

From Literature

Mr. Cramer, the host of CNBC’s “Mad Money,” is the author of “How to Make Money in Any Market.”

From The Wall Street Journal