spondulicks

or spon·du·lix

[spon-doo-liks]

noun Older Slang.

money; cash.

Origin of spondulicks

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for spondulicks

Historical Examples of spondulicks

Suppose I can't raise the spondulicks in time for the ten train!
Molly Brown's Orchard Home
Nell Speed
"Spondulicks," said Dicky with a laugh, as the other hesitated for a word.
Blindfolded
Earle Ashley Walcott
"I wonder where he got the spondulicks," broke in her son Richard.
The Fourth Watch
H. A. Cody
Also it was convincingly true that the ingoing party—its way now made a pacific one—would need the "spondulicks."
Cabbages and Kings
O. Henry

Word Origin and History for spondulicks

1856, American English slang, "money, cash," of unknown origin, said to be from Greek spondylikos, from spondylos, a seashell used as currency (the Greek word means literally "vertebra"). Used by Mark Twain and O. Henry and adopted into British English, where it survives despite having faded in American English.