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spondulicks

or spon·du·lix

[spon-doo-liks]
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noun Older Slang.
  1. money; cash.
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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. 2018

Examples from the Web for spondulicks

Historical Examples

  • 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.

  • Also it was convincingly true that the ingoing party—its way now made a pacific one—would need the "spondulicks."

Word Origin and History for 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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper