Bit: one-eighth of a thaller, origin of the phrase “pieces of eight” because the thalloer (root word of dollar) could be broken into eight pieces to make change. Thus an eighth of a dollar or 12 1/2 cents. Two bits equal a quarter, 25 cents. Now don’t you wish you hadn’t asked?
Sorry, but “pieces of eight” was pirate slang for a Spanish coin worth eight reales of 16th century Spanish currency. I didn’t know this either and always thought it was from the story hippogriff told. I learned this story from a facebook solitaire game of all places. lol
Ah Facebook, the ultimate authority! I have actually seen one, two, and three bit pieces in museums. They were broken off the original coins.
Even when I was a kid, shave and a haircut was six bits, not two (and the actual price at the barber shop was closer to ten). This would be in the mid-’30s, and folk sayings generally date from a generation or two before in such details.
Dad explained to me two bits is 12 1/ 2 cents. Because that was the value of one of the British coins. And 4 bits was as high as he would usually go at the auction barn. .Now Trout – she need to re-lax. She gots two tents.
James Hopkins over 12 years ago
Agnes must have been taking her joke lessons from Pastis ;-)
rshive over 12 years ago
Then there was the sadistic beachcomber who left no tern unstoned.
listmom over 12 years ago
I love how Trout offers her two bits. Wonder how many readers know how much that is. ;-)
hippogriff over 12 years ago
Bit: one-eighth of a thaller, origin of the phrase “pieces of eight” because the thalloer (root word of dollar) could be broken into eight pieces to make change. Thus an eighth of a dollar or 12 1/2 cents. Two bits equal a quarter, 25 cents. Now don’t you wish you hadn’t asked?
unca jim over 12 years ago
@hippogriff : Can I get a shave and a haircut for that anymore?
gmforde over 12 years ago
Sorry, but “pieces of eight” was pirate slang for a Spanish coin worth eight reales of 16th century Spanish currency. I didn’t know this either and always thought it was from the story hippogriff told. I learned this story from a facebook solitaire game of all places. lol
hippogriff over 12 years ago
Ah Facebook, the ultimate authority! I have actually seen one, two, and three bit pieces in museums. They were broken off the original coins.
Even when I was a kid, shave and a haircut was six bits, not two (and the actual price at the barber shop was closer to ten). This would be in the mid-’30s, and folk sayings generally date from a generation or two before in such details.
Hunter7 over 12 years ago
Dad explained to me two bits is 12 1/ 2 cents. Because that was the value of one of the British coins. And 4 bits was as high as he would usually go at the auction barn. .Now Trout – she need to re-lax. She gots two tents.