“Touch me a loan!” Zopa reveals how different regions ask for money
FROM moolah to dough, there are plenty of ways people describe money, and now Zopa has collated a list of the most common words depending on where you live.
Working with Dr Rob Drummond, senior lecturer in linguistics at Manchester Metropolitan University, the peer-to-peer lender has created a glossary of more than a dozen words highlighting the variety of ways people describe borrowing money across the UK.
For example, those in Scotland were found to use phrases such as “giez a lend” or “giez a bung” when asking to borrow money, whilst those in the North West of England would ask to ‘cadge’ or ‘borrow me’ some cash.
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Liverpudlians are more likely to say “front me a loan” or ask for “a sub”, while those in Newcastle and the North-East would instead say “spot us a fiver” when they need to borrow money.
If you’re a Londoner you may use the phrase “touch me a loan” and historically would have “whispered” when looking to borrow, according to the research.
“Everyone knows of words and phrases that crop up in conversation but that are met with a blank face when you use them with someone from a different part of the country,” Clare Gambardella, chief customer officer for Zopa, said.
“Equally there are instantly recognisable phrases that tell you that the user is from your hometown. What’s interesting about the list we’ve compiled is just how expressive and varied the words and phrases people use in place of borrowing are.
“At Zopa, we like to keep things simple so we always stick to terms that can be easily understood nationwide.”
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