What is a buck: the history of the origin of the term

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

It is not known when this word appeared in Russian, but almost everyone knows what a buck is. So affectionately called American dollars. In the entire history of the existence of this word in Russia, many anecdotes and jokes have been composed. Some go so far as to call the Bucks pets and compare their growth with the growth of the dollar. Everyone uses the word, but explaining where it came from in the Russian language is not an easy task.

What are the opinions on this?

The word "bucks" got into the Russian language from the lexicon of Americans. They, of course, use it for its intended purpose, that is, they call their national currency the American dollar. In America itself, there are several versions of the origin of such a designation of their currency, what is a dollar, where did this expression come from and what used to mean.

This is what deer skins used to be called

Indeed, in English, the word buckskin literally translates to "buckskin." Deerskins and antlers were the epitome of we alth in Old England, as in the early period theywere used as money. Naturally, the new settlers from England used this familiar expression in their new place of residence. The first settlers of North America used this expression not only in relation to deer skins, but also to the skins of other animals that were sold. Therefore, what is a dollar in Europe learned from ships loaded with deer skins and furs.

The skins of arctic foxes, martens, beavers, bears were in circulation. They were not only mined by the settlers themselves, but also exchanged for some goods from the indigenous population, for example, for guns and matches. In Europe, North American furs and skins were in great demand. In addition, the collection of tax with animal skins did not cause a riot even among the Indians. It wasn't hard to get them.

Gold and silver coins in those days were a scarce commodity, and paper money did not inspire confidence. Moreover, local officials often tried to pay with paper, but at the same time demanded that taxes be paid either in precious metal or in furs.

It's all about color

Another version of what a buck got its name due to the fact that one of its sides is gray and the other is green, in English green back (“green back”). But, firstly, if Americans call dollars "greenbacks", then they pronounce the phrase in full, without abbreviations, that is, "greenbacks", which is another nickname for the dollar. Secondly, the bills got their usual shape and color today in 1913, when theFederal Reserve System. Prior to this, dollars were multi-colored, if not motley. Each state had its own banks, which themselves printed money. In one state the money was green, in another it was black and white, in another it was gold. Each bank developed its own banknote design. By law, the bank that issued the banknote had to exchange it for gold at the first request of the bearer. The owner of the banknote had only to find the issuing bank. They did not inspire confidence, so in the US, almost to the very foundation of the Federal Reserve System, the population preferred gold and silver.

Which version is more plausible?

Of the two versions above, the first one is the most trustworthy, that is, dollars began to be called "bucks" a long time ago, and this word was first called deer skins, and then American paper dollars. The fact that dollars are called bucks still speaks of deep memory. This means that for a long time there was no credible banking system in the country, and all settlements were carried out either in kind or using expensive items: animal skins, gold and silver coins and ingots. Therefore, what the word bucks means, and which version is more plausible, is not difficult to guess.

There is another version of the origin. In 1862-1863, a denomination of ten dollars was issued, on the back of which there was a Roman numeral ten in the form of an X. Americans jokingly called suchten-dollar bills "saw goats" (sawback). Where does the word "bucks" come from at the end. Soon ten-dollar bills dropped out of circulation, but the name remained. But this version is also less plausible, if only because the banknotes were in circulation for a short time, and the name referred exclusively to one banknote. Again, they were issued by one bank among many institutions operating throughout the United States. This means that the name has not received mass distribution even in the United States.

Whatever version of the origin of the word "bucks" is discovered and voiced in the future, it is unlikely that the American dollar will cease to be called that. The word is accurate, convenient and best suits the nature of this currency.