🪙 Cash on the Barrelhead
Definition: Money paid immediately at the time of purchase. Example: “I’ll give you $50 for that bike, cash on the barrelhead.”
Related Terms and Phrases:
- Cold hard cash: Real money, not checks or credit.
- Upfront payment: Payment made in advance before the delivery of goods or services.
- Forthwith funds: An old-fashioned term for immediate cash.
- Money on the nail: Another way to say immediate cash payment, from the ancient practice of merchants striking deals by paying on metal posts or nails.
- Ready money: Cash that is readily available when needed.
Proverbs and Expressions:
- “Money talks, but all mine ever says is goodbye.” —Quoted often with chuckles in mind.
- “A penny saved is a penny earned.” —Honest Ben Franklin, doing honest Ben things.
Synonyms:
- Immediate payment
- Spot cash
- Instant currency
Antonyms:
- Deferred payment
- Credit purchase
- Installments
Humor-Filled Quote: “Money is like manure; it’s not good unless it’s spread around.” —Francis Bacon, naturally.
Similar Expressions in Literature & Entertainment:
Songs:
- “Money” by Pink Floyd —Because money makes the world go ‘round and triggers philosophical/social thoughts worth every penny.
Books:
- The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith, where the pursuit of money finds its academic cred.
- The Algebra of Happiness by Scott Galloway, diving into the philosophies around financial wellbeing.
Movies:
- The Wolf of Wall Street —A razzle-dazzle portrayal of making (and losing) loads of ‘immediate payments.’
- Jerry Maguire —See: “Show me the money!”
Intriguing Title Idea: “💵 Cash on the Barrelhead: Tales of Fortune and Finance: 🫙”
### What does 'cash on the barrelhead' mean?
- [x] Immediate cash payment
- [ ] Paying by credit
- [ ] Switching bar tab accounts
- [ ] Using cryptocurrency
> **Explanation:** "Cash on the barrelhead" means payment in cold, hard cash right on the spot — no credit, no IOUs, immediately.
### Which of the following means the same as 'cash on the barrelhead'?
- [x] Money on the nail
- [ ] Deferred payment
- [x] Cold hard cash
- [ ] Credit line settlement
> **Explanation:** 'Money on the nail' and 'cold hard cash' both indicate immediate payment just like 'cash on the barrelhead.' The others are more like snooze buttons.
### True or False: Contemporary transactions usually involve 'cash on the barrelhead.'
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** True to twisty and turn of modern times, electronic payments and credits are more common than immediate cash payments.
💬 Final thought: Words, like money, serve their purpose best when they flow freely and bring insights and joy to many. Until next time, keep those phrases—and those pennies—rolling.
📚 Yours in linguistic love, Penny Wisecraft
📅 Published Oct 1, 2023
