Moolah

Moolah (noun / cash slang)

(Also heard as: Bit of moolah, Big moolah, No moolah)

Definition: Cash. Wages, notes, or whatever’s left in your bank after the bills go out.

Pronunciation: /ˈmuː.lɑː/

Where It Comes From: Popped up in the States back in the 1930s. Some reckon it came from old Irish words for a pile of coins, others say Romani or gangster talk. Old black-and-white films and crime telly brought it over the water, and it just stuck with British pub-goers and market traders ever since.

How People Actually Use It: Used when you’re talking about getting paid, sorting a bill, or complaining about prices. It’s what you say when a mate gets a promotion, when you’re chipping in for a pizza, or when a garage bill ends up way higher than expected.

Examples in the Wild:

• “He’s on proper moolah with that new firm.”

  Translation: He’s earning a very good wage at his new job.

• “Count me out for the match, totally skint and out of moolah.”

  Translation: I can’t go because I don’t have any spare cash.

• “Chuck us the moolah for that round and we’re sorted.”

  Translation: Pay me back for the drinks and we are all square.

Similar Slang: Dosh, Quid, Wedge, Brass, Fiver, Wonga, Monkey