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spondulicks

or spon·du·lix

[ spon-doo-liks ]
/ spɒnˈdu lɪks /
|

noun Older Slang.

money; cash.

Nearby words

spolia opima, spoliate, spoliation, spondaic, spondee, spondulicks, spondulix, spondylalgia, spondylarthritis, spondylitis, spondylitis deformans

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

  • 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

  • "I wonder where he got the spondulicks," broke in her son Richard.

    The Fourth Watch|H. A. Cody

  • "Spondulicks," said Dicky with a laugh, as the other hesitated for a word.

    Blindfolded|Earle Ashley Walcott

  • Suppose I can't raise the spondulicks in time for the ten train!

    Molly Brown's Orchard Home|Nell Speed

Word Origin and History for spondulicks

spondulicks

n.

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper