What Does 'Bob' Mean in British Slang? Understanding Its Historical and Modern Usage
Discover the meaning of 'bob' in British slang, its origins as a shilling, and how it's used today as a term for money.
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In British slang, a 'bob' refers to a shilling. Although it's largely obsolete since the UK moved to decimal currency in 1971, the term is still used colloquially. It traditionally denoted a specific amount of money which was equivalent to 12 old pence, and today might be used more generally to refer to a small amount of money.
FAQs & Answers
- What was a 'bob' worth in British currency? A 'bob' was worth one shilling, which was equivalent to 12 old pence before the UK switched to decimal currency in 1971.
- Is the term 'bob' still used in the UK today? Yes, while 'bob' as a term for a shilling is largely obsolete, it is still used colloquially to refer to a small amount of money.
- When did the UK stop using shillings and introduce decimal currency? The UK decimalized its currency in 1971, replacing shillings and pence with a new decimal system.