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Re: Different prejudices and $.02
Iain Walker (iainw@SUE.ECON.SU.OZ.AU)
Thu, 25 Apr 1996 10:54:40 +1100
On Wed, 24 Apr 1996, Legend wrote:
> I don't know when, but at some point in history "my two bits worth" evolved
> into "my two cents worth" making the "my $.02" a correct statement. Now my
> pet peeve with this is ... cents/pennies are not legal tender
Is that right? How long ago did they cease to be legal tender? It's a
couple of years since I've been to the US, but I could have sworn they
were legal tender then.
We have, of course, the same situation here. The one and two cent coins
disappeared from circulation a number of years ago now and finally ceased
to be legal tender about six months ago. Nevertheless, prices are still
quoted as "$4.99" but you'd never get any change from a $5 note (although
if you pay by any other method - check, card, etc, you do only pay $4.99).
Raises some intersting questions, I'm sure. Reminds me of a trip I made
to Italy many years ago when a shortage of small change meant that if you
were owed a few lira change you were likely to receive a handful of candy
instead.
I must say that I do prefer the expression "my two bits worth", just as I
would prefer "a miss is as good as a mile" (rather than a "miss is as good
as a kilometre"). The expression becomes separated from its meaning
without losing its meaning.
Iain Walker
Dept. of Anthropology
University of Sydney
iainw@sue.econ.su.oz.au
Iain Walker
Dept. of Anthropology
University of Sydney
iainw@sue.econ.su.oz.au
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