Difference Between Pound and Quid
Pound vs Quid
A pound is a currency in Britain and in other areas of Europe. Sometimes people refer to it as quid. Instead of saying ‘100 pounds,’ people would say ‘100 quids.’ The term ‘quid’ has been used a long time ago already; however, these days people are getting confused as to when and how the term ‘quid’ and ‘pound’ are used interchangeably. The truth is, when you compare it to the currency of the United States, it has a similar issue. When an American says ‘100 bucks,’ it is understood as ‘100 dollars.’ It is also just like saying ’10 grand,’ which means ‘10,000 dollars.’ ‘Grand’ means ‘bag of money.’ It can be used as slang for ‘a thousand’ when it comes to money.
‘Pound’ is a term for currency in some nations in Europe. Its origin is from England. A pound is the value of the weight of silver, a pound. ‘Pound’ comes from the Latin word ‘Libra’ which means the currency of the ancient Roman Empire. Other places in Europe, like Italy, call their currency ‘Lira,’ which means ‘pound’ when translated. Sometimes a pound is called ‘pound sterling.’ This term is used in much more formal occasions. This term is also used to distinguish the currency of the United Kingdom from the currencies of other countries that uses the term ‘pound’ for currency. Sometimes the slang for the money in the United Kingdom is simply called ‘sterling.’ In other places the slang they call their pound is ‘quid.’
This is how the term ‘quid’ is used. ‘Quid’ is just a slang term for ‘pound.’ It is a term used during informal events. There are three origins of the term ‘quid.’ First, ‘quid,’ according to some, comes from the Royal Mint based in Quidhampton. Because Quidhampton is too long, people settled with ‘quid,’ thus the term ‘quid.’ There are other stories of the origin of ‘quid.’ They say that ‘quid’ is from an Irishman who speaks Gaelic would refer to money as ‘my money.’ In his language, it would sound more like ‘mo chuid.’ This means ‘collection, possession, or money.’ Later on the word ‘mo chuid’ turned to ‘chuid,’ and now it is referred to as ‘quid.’ English soldiers adopted this term. Thus the term is ‘quid’ for ‘pound.’ Finally, one of the most credible origins of ‘quid’ is from the Roman Empire with the Latin expression of ‘quid pro quo’ which means ‘something for something.’
SUMMARY:
‘Pound’ is the currency of Britain and other European counties. ‘Quid,’ on the other hand, is just the slang term for ‘pound.’
‘Pound’ comes from the Latin word ‘Libra’ the currency of ancient Rome. ‘Quid’ comes from the Latin term ‘quid pro quo,’ which means ‘something for something.’
Another slang for ‘pound’ is ‘sterling’ while ‘quid’ has other companions as slang for money like ‘grand’ and other terms.
‘Pound’ is the weight value of silver. ‘Quid’ is a term used to replace the term ‘pound.’
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We never say ‘100 quids’ (plural). We say ‘100 quid’. Nobody says ‘quids’. We might say ‘squid’ though 🙂
I’m from the U.S. and “100 quids” (plural) as stated in the article didn’t sound correct to me based on hearing British speakers in movies, TV, etc. Thanks for clarifying that it’s not correct.
Plus I don’t think there are any other European countries that have a currency called the pound. Ireland used to before Euros and I suppose you could maybe seperate out the Channel Islands if you wanted to be picky, and Gibraltar, but they are both British dependancies. I’m scratching my head for any other European examples of pounds.
So you could say pounds are used in other areas of Europe but not other countries as stated in the summery. And don’t forget that there are a some countries in Africa that use pounds and a few in the middle east I think, so pounds are not exclusive to Europe/British territories.
Well if you want my 2 Cents (USA) a silver Pound then is only worth one Quid. Humm — unless you have more… Begs a new question of how much is a Troy pound of silver worth? Please respond in Quid or USD Dollars
Pound sterling” is also used when there is a need to distinguish the currency of the United Kingdom from that of other countries using the same currency. These currencies are: the Egyptian pound, the Lebanese pound, the Sudanese pound, and the Syrian pound. Under any other circumstances, the word “pound” is usually used. The pound is also recognized as the United Kingdom Pound. The British pound is used in more casual settings, and it is not considered to be the official name. Another slang term for the pound is the word “quid” (used in both the singular and plural context).
How do you think you can post an article on the definition of an english word when 1…You don’t speak english well and 2…Your facts are incorrect in many cases? NOBODY but England uses the word “Pound” for their currency.
I think we should down a pint of Guinness bite off the kings head and slosh a princess, cherio!!!!
This article is pure speculation, nothing more and should be taken down immediately . It does not give a source of where its alleged “facts” are from. Similarly its vagueness and huge spelling mistakes leaves the reader questioning the authenticity of the material presented.
Without the writer sourcing their facts they may as well have put in their that gravity doesn’t exist because that is basically what they are saying when they don’t source their facts and are vague on the answer.
Yes, those grammatical errors are horrendous.
Oh, and by the way, the correct word is [put in] “there,” not “their.”
You and you’re sister are hot for cgi chicks. ;0)
a quid is 1 pound. 5 pounds is 5 quid. we NEVER say quid’s’
20 quid may also sometimes be called a ‘score’
Then why do I read a quid is 100 pounds? Just asking
How do you decided whether to call it a quid or a pound?
Is it the same as Americans saying 100 bucks vs
100 dollars?
I concur with the use of Quid in the plural and singular never quids. Referencing and sourcing is only required for historical use. Every day use is known by all live British people. I would not question an American telling me how the term bucks is commonly used.
I never have heard or read “quids,” but always hear and read, “quid,” until this description, above. I believe that quid is similar in affect as “buck” in America. Although, strangley enough, a “buck” does become “bucks,” as in “a hundred bucks,” and one never hears or reads, “a hundred buck.”