What do you mean by "Please slip me a couple of bob for a cup of tea"?
By PhoebeCat
@PhoebeCat (1)
February 8, 2010 7:14am CST
Hi, everyone. I am a new commer:)
I am not a native speaker. I am reading Harold Pinter now, and this sentence puzzled me. I need your help:)
Thanks a lot:)
1 response
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
8 Feb 10
A "Bob" was/is a slang term for one British Shilling before the UK introduced decimal currency in 1971. One shilling was the equivalent of twelve pennies. Tramps (vagrants) would typically ask someone to "Slip them a Bob" i.e. give them a shilling. The term was also used in society more widely with the same meaning. When I was a boy my Dad would slip me a Bob to go to the cinema with etc. Hope that helps.
